Arts-based participatory research for inclusive marine protected areas management: UThukela MPA
- Authors: Noomé, Jessica Anne
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Marine resources conservation , Coastal zone management -- Environmental aspects , Environmental protection
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/73458 , vital:79443
- Description: This study explores the role of arts-based participatory research (ABPR) in fostering inclusive management strategies for the uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Acknowledging historical marginalisation of local communities in marine conservation in South Africa and globally, this research used an adaption of the photovoice methodology to assess how Traditional and Local Knowledge Systems (TLKS) of local communities can be incorporated into MPA management. The study was guided by objectives to test participatory research methods, provide a platform for knowledge sharing, and identify potential pathways for meaningful, inclusive MPA governance. The value of incorporating co-researchers rather than participants is evident in the depth and breadth of knowledge shared and incorporated into this research. Findings highlight the socio-cultural significance of the environment to the Nqutshini community for fishing, agriculture, and traditional and cultural heritage and practices. TLKS were found to be vital insights that MPA governance can consider to address conservation while still being respectful of the local communities and their livelihoods. The photovoice method proved to be an effective tool for empowering participants and producing insight recommendations for potential action. Challenges to inclusivity, such as limited consultation and socio-economic barriers, were juxtaposed with opportunities for building equitable partnerships through co-management practices. By using ABPR as a tool for integration and learning, and putting the voices of the community above any others, this research contributes to broader discourse in inclusive conservation in South Africa. The importance of balancing ecological, socio-cultural, and economic factors in MPAs can advance strategies for inclusive and sustainable MPA management. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
- Authors: Noomé, Jessica Anne
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Marine resources conservation , Coastal zone management -- Environmental aspects , Environmental protection
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/73458 , vital:79443
- Description: This study explores the role of arts-based participatory research (ABPR) in fostering inclusive management strategies for the uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Acknowledging historical marginalisation of local communities in marine conservation in South Africa and globally, this research used an adaption of the photovoice methodology to assess how Traditional and Local Knowledge Systems (TLKS) of local communities can be incorporated into MPA management. The study was guided by objectives to test participatory research methods, provide a platform for knowledge sharing, and identify potential pathways for meaningful, inclusive MPA governance. The value of incorporating co-researchers rather than participants is evident in the depth and breadth of knowledge shared and incorporated into this research. Findings highlight the socio-cultural significance of the environment to the Nqutshini community for fishing, agriculture, and traditional and cultural heritage and practices. TLKS were found to be vital insights that MPA governance can consider to address conservation while still being respectful of the local communities and their livelihoods. The photovoice method proved to be an effective tool for empowering participants and producing insight recommendations for potential action. Challenges to inclusivity, such as limited consultation and socio-economic barriers, were juxtaposed with opportunities for building equitable partnerships through co-management practices. By using ABPR as a tool for integration and learning, and putting the voices of the community above any others, this research contributes to broader discourse in inclusive conservation in South Africa. The importance of balancing ecological, socio-cultural, and economic factors in MPAs can advance strategies for inclusive and sustainable MPA management. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
Coastal and marine tourism development: a conceptual framework for place-based marine spatial planning in the Wild Coast, Port St Johns
- Authors: Nkalitshana, Malwande
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Tourism -- Environmental aspects , Coastal zone management -- Environmental aspects , Environmental management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/73345 , vital:79421
- Description: The launch of Operation Phakisa: Ocean Economy in 2014 by the South African Government heightened the focus and interest in the ocean as a catalyst to contribute towards South Africa’s lagging economic growth to reduce the pressing challenges of unemployment, poverty, and unequal participation in South Africa’s mainstream economy, particularly, those from previously disadvantaged groups (Odeku, 2021). Operation Phakisa identified six focus areas: marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture, small harbour development, ocean governance and protection services, and coastal and marine tourism (Loureiro, Du Plessis, & Findlay, 2022). Each of these focus areas is attached to lead departments. Coastal and marine tourism is attached to the National Department of Tourism. After the oil and gas sector, coastal and marine tourism was identified as one of the fastest-growing ocean economy subsectors. With its potential to create much-needed jobs, promote small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) participation, and contribute to the broader economy by implementing its nodal strategic approach, the Department of Tourism identified nodal zones to which coastal and marine tourism development projects would be intensely implemented. Port St Johns is one of the nodal zones that the department identified. With its unique, high biodiversity, which is attractive to tourists, Port St Johns has been marred with enormous challenges of unemployment, under-development, and high poverty rates. In addition, it has suffered from challenges of competing interests between development and environmental conservation groups enabled by the Transkein Environmental Conservation Decree 9 of 1992, which prohibits development projects within a one-kilometre radius from high water mark. This has resulted in conflicting views, leading to the demise of development, and further perpetuating socio-economic hardships and disparities. Due to similar challenges and with more actors venturing into the ocean economy space, the South African Government has followed the international practice of introducing a marine spatial planning approach to manage the distribution and allocation of spaces for human activities within and around marine and coastal environments. Marine spatial planning has been praised and promoted as the most suitable instrument to manage dynamic, diverse, and fragile environments such as marine and coastal environments. However, although marine spatial planning is touted as an instrument that promotes a participatory and democratic process, it has the potential to fall into the trap of other planning systems, which are top-down, negating the power imbalances amongst the stakeholders. Additionally, such planning regimes fail to recognise the local-centric and diverse interests, including local communities’ use of the marine and coastal resources in these areas. Thus, the current study developed a proposed conceptual framework to guide the development of place-based marine spatial plans to enhance coastal and marine tourism in Port St Johns. The proposed conceptual framework contains critical elements for marine spatial planning (MSP) planners to consider when developing marine spatial plans. The overarching theoretical approach that guides the framework is ecosystem services. This study employed a qualitative research approach, and interviews were used to obtain study participants’ perspectives. Participants were drawn from the Port St Johns Municipality, civil society organisations, development agencies, tourism forums, traditional leaders, councillors, communal property associations, and environmental agencies. Bringing together the perspectives of this diverse group helped to broaden the researcher’s perspective on Port St Johns’ dynamics regarding its challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, these perspectives enabled the development of the proposed conceptual framework for place-based MSP. Recommendations are made to test the proposed conceptual frameworks in developing place-based MSP in coastal cities such as Port St Johns to identify areas of concern for improvement where necessary. , Thesis (D.Phil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
- Authors: Nkalitshana, Malwande
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Tourism -- Environmental aspects , Coastal zone management -- Environmental aspects , Environmental management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/73345 , vital:79421
- Description: The launch of Operation Phakisa: Ocean Economy in 2014 by the South African Government heightened the focus and interest in the ocean as a catalyst to contribute towards South Africa’s lagging economic growth to reduce the pressing challenges of unemployment, poverty, and unequal participation in South Africa’s mainstream economy, particularly, those from previously disadvantaged groups (Odeku, 2021). Operation Phakisa identified six focus areas: marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture, small harbour development, ocean governance and protection services, and coastal and marine tourism (Loureiro, Du Plessis, & Findlay, 2022). Each of these focus areas is attached to lead departments. Coastal and marine tourism is attached to the National Department of Tourism. After the oil and gas sector, coastal and marine tourism was identified as one of the fastest-growing ocean economy subsectors. With its potential to create much-needed jobs, promote small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) participation, and contribute to the broader economy by implementing its nodal strategic approach, the Department of Tourism identified nodal zones to which coastal and marine tourism development projects would be intensely implemented. Port St Johns is one of the nodal zones that the department identified. With its unique, high biodiversity, which is attractive to tourists, Port St Johns has been marred with enormous challenges of unemployment, under-development, and high poverty rates. In addition, it has suffered from challenges of competing interests between development and environmental conservation groups enabled by the Transkein Environmental Conservation Decree 9 of 1992, which prohibits development projects within a one-kilometre radius from high water mark. This has resulted in conflicting views, leading to the demise of development, and further perpetuating socio-economic hardships and disparities. Due to similar challenges and with more actors venturing into the ocean economy space, the South African Government has followed the international practice of introducing a marine spatial planning approach to manage the distribution and allocation of spaces for human activities within and around marine and coastal environments. Marine spatial planning has been praised and promoted as the most suitable instrument to manage dynamic, diverse, and fragile environments such as marine and coastal environments. However, although marine spatial planning is touted as an instrument that promotes a participatory and democratic process, it has the potential to fall into the trap of other planning systems, which are top-down, negating the power imbalances amongst the stakeholders. Additionally, such planning regimes fail to recognise the local-centric and diverse interests, including local communities’ use of the marine and coastal resources in these areas. Thus, the current study developed a proposed conceptual framework to guide the development of place-based marine spatial plans to enhance coastal and marine tourism in Port St Johns. The proposed conceptual framework contains critical elements for marine spatial planning (MSP) planners to consider when developing marine spatial plans. The overarching theoretical approach that guides the framework is ecosystem services. This study employed a qualitative research approach, and interviews were used to obtain study participants’ perspectives. Participants were drawn from the Port St Johns Municipality, civil society organisations, development agencies, tourism forums, traditional leaders, councillors, communal property associations, and environmental agencies. Bringing together the perspectives of this diverse group helped to broaden the researcher’s perspective on Port St Johns’ dynamics regarding its challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, these perspectives enabled the development of the proposed conceptual framework for place-based MSP. Recommendations are made to test the proposed conceptual frameworks in developing place-based MSP in coastal cities such as Port St Johns to identify areas of concern for improvement where necessary. , Thesis (D.Phil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
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