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SWOT analysis as an analytical tool to assess
both cases.
The Top-Down Approach
to Creating Paradise: The Tobago
Cays Marine Park (TCMP) Marine
Livelihoods Initiative
The Government of SVG has successfully
achieved the effective management of 10% of its
marine area by 2012 and intends to expand the
marine protected area system to include 20% of
the marine habitats by 2020. Over the years, the
government has been active in the area of environmental conservation as a strategy to reduce
the impact of climate change on its coasts and
marine biophysical systems, terrestrial systems
and human system. The government views adaptation as an essential part of policy response for
environmental governance as climate change is
projected to cause more intense extreme events
and less favourable conditions for the main sectors such as tourism and agriculture (Scobie
2016). Twenty-three terrestrial reserves, including the St. Vincent Parrot Reserve, several forest
reserves, one marine park (Tobago Cays Marine
Park) and six marine reserves (CARIBSAVE
2012) were established. This is a significant
achievement from an international perspective
that fulfils its obligations to the Biodiversity and
Climate Change Conventions. However, the
major challenge facing the government is how to
mobilise the necessary technical and financial
resources to sustain such initiatives to build the
capacity of residents to adapt to the impact of
climate change and ensure sustainable
livelihoods.
The Objective of the Case
This case study presents an analysis of the topdown approach used to create the Tobago Cays
Marine Park (TCMP). It will highlight the strengths
and the weaknesses, opportunities and threats of
using the method as well as present an assessment
of the strategies implemented by the government to
address the challenges encountered.
Empowerment Through Capacity
Building
Creation of the Fisherfolk Cooperatives
The government has utilised the top-down
approach to establish TCMP. The TCMP was
managed by a group of government officials and
civil servants in Union Island under the directorship of policymakers in Kingstown, the capital.
The government officials realised there was conflict between officials and stakeholders in the
southern Grenadines regarding the management
and the operation of the marine park, which has
resulted in the ineffective collection of fees and
provision of substandard services by TCMP officials. Consultations were held, and decisions were
taken to form a fisherfolk group, thus changing
from a top-down approach to a hybrid approach.
Establishment of Yachting Network
There are many local and foreign companies
operating in the Grenadines. Three major charter companies are running out of St. Vincent,
and two smaller companies are operating out of
Bequia, offering a combined national charter
fleet comprising approximately 85 vessels.
TCMP officials implemented consultations
with these charter companies to determine their
specific needs and solicit their participation in
the overall development of strategies to enhance
the management and operation of TCMP.
Organising of Diving Operator Groups
Local dive shops undertake an average of 3000
dives per annum. The dive shops in Union Island
(Grenadines Dive) and Canouan (Canouan Dive
Centre) operate most of the scuba diving operations in the TCMP. There are five other dive operations based on Bequia, Mustique and St. Vincent
that operate their dive operations in the park.
Park officials organised consultations with diver
operators and involved them in the overall management of the park.
5 The Calm After the Storm: Island Perspective on the Application…
SWOT analysis as an analytical tool to assess
both cases.
The Top-Down Approach
to Creating Paradise: The Tobago
Cays Marine Park (TCMP) Marine
Livelihoods Initiative
The Government of SVG has successfully
achieved the effective management of 10% of its
marine area by 2012 and intends to expand the
marine protected area system to include 20% of
the marine habitats by 2020. Over the years, the
government has been active in the area of environmental conservation as a strategy to reduce
the impact of climate change on its coasts and
marine biophysical systems, terrestrial systems
and human system. The government views adaptation as an essential part of policy response for
environmental governance as climate change is
projected to cause more intense extreme events
and less favourable conditions for the main sectors such as tourism and agriculture (Scobie
2016). Twenty-three terrestrial reserves, including the St. Vincent Parrot Reserve, several forest
reserves, one marine park (Tobago Cays Marine
Park) and six marine reserves (CARIBSAVE
2012) were established. This is a significant
achievement from an international perspective
that fulfils its obligations to the Biodiversity and
Climate Change Conventions. However, the
major challenge facing the government is how to
mobilise the necessary technical and financial
resources to sustain such initiatives to build the
capacity of residents to adapt to the impact of
climate change and ensure sustainable
livelihoods.
The Objective of the Case
This case study presents an analysis of the topdown approach used to create the Tobago Cays
Marine Park (TCMP). It will highlight the strengths
and the weaknesses, opportunities and threats of
using the method as well as present an assessment
of the strategies implemented by the government to
address the challenges encountered.
Empowerment Through Capacity
Building
Creation of the Fisherfolk Cooperatives
The government has utilised the top-down
approach to establish TCMP. The TCMP was
managed by a group of government officials and
civil servants in Union Island under the directorship of policymakers in Kingstown, the capital.
The government officials realised there was conflict between officials and stakeholders in the
southern Grenadines regarding the management
and the operation of the marine park, which has
resulted in the ineffective collection of fees and
provision of substandard services by TCMP officials. Consultations were held, and decisions were
taken to form a fisherfolk group, thus changing
from a top-down approach to a hybrid approach.
Establishment of Yachting Network
There are many local and foreign companies
operating in the Grenadines. Three major charter companies are running out of St. Vincent,
and two smaller companies are operating out of
Bequia, offering a combined national charter
fleet comprising approximately 85 vessels.
TCMP officials implemented consultations
with these charter companies to determine their
specific needs and solicit their participation in
the overall development of strategies to enhance
the management and operation of TCMP.
Organising of Diving Operator Groups
Local dive shops undertake an average of 3000
dives per annum. The dive shops in Union Island
(Grenadines Dive) and Canouan (Canouan Dive
Centre) operate most of the scuba diving operations in the TCMP. There are five other dive operations based on Bequia, Mustique and St. Vincent
that operate their dive operations in the park.
Park officials organised consultations with diver
operators and involved them in the overall management of the park.
5 The Calm After the Storm: Island Perspective on the Application…