'It's not just about fish': Assessing the social impacts of marine protected areas on the wellbeing of coastal communities in New South Wales

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244605
• Publication Date: 2020-12-30T19:22:40Z
• Authors: Natalie Gollan; Kate Barclay
• Keywords: Marine protected area; Social Impact Assessment; Thematic Analysis

Managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is about managing human behaviours, but decision-making processes have traditionally focussed on ecological aspects, treating social aspects as secondary. It now becoming more evident that an equal focus the and required. Without collection of information aspect such impacts sharing this well with communities, MPAs are at higher risk opposition acceptability problems. This paper explores development a wellbeing framework to understand including local communities. research investigates two case study MPAs: Cape Byron Port Stephens-Great Lakes Parks in New South Wales, Australia. The multiple-use were implemented 2006 2007, respectively. began review literature, followed by fieldwork, semi-structured qualitative interviews community members. Through thematic coding interview transcripts light literature assessing MPAs, domains associated attributes was developed investigate impacts. Our analysis shows; first, perspectives crucial understanding Second, gives insight into nature trade-offs occur regarding MPAs. Third, intangible experienced communities just significant tangible ones for how operate. Fourth, governance been most influential factor affecting parks. We argue failure address negative can undermine legitimacy propose will support policymakers work towards effective, equitable socially sustainable employing much-needed monitoring dimensions conservation interventions level shape adaptive management.