Integrated coastal zone management of common pool resources: A case study of coral reef management in Antigua, West Indies

The coastal environment poses a challenge to natural resource managers due to the diversity of resources, users and governance bodies that characterize such systems. Over the past couple of decades integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) has become increasingly popular as a solution to management of this complex system. However, few studies have examined the applicability of ICZM as a concept to site-specific cases. Common property regime (CPR) theory, by contrast, is empirically based and provides insight into the specific conditions affecting the success and failure of management programs. The CPR model has not, however, been applied to cases of coastal environmental management.; The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the applicability of the ICZM and CPR models to the management of a specific coastal environment: coral reefs in Antigua, West Indies. This dissertation addresses the following questions: (1) What are the key socioeconomic and public policy factors that facilitate or inhibit coral reef management in Antigua? (2) To what extent do these factors support and/or refute the principles and conditions of the CPR and ICZM models? (3) To what extent do these models provide realistic guidelines for coral reef management in Antigua? (4) What lessons can be taken from this analysis and applied to future reef management in Antigua?; To address these questions, it was first necessary to develop an understanding of the human ecology of coral reef management in Antigua which includes: (1) the socioeconomic background of the coral reef user groups; (2) the public policy framework with respect to coral reef management; (3) case studies relevant to natural resource management in Antigua; and (4) the implications of coral reef management options. These data were collected through document analysis, participation observation, and interviews with government officials, user groups and key informants.; Analysis of these data results in a model of the major factors affecting coral reef management in Antigua, which include: (1) awareness and concern among stakeholders; (2) trust and reciprocity among user groups; (3) the user groups' influence on the management process; and (4) the government's management abilities. This Antigua reef management (ARM) model considers the specific socioeconomic and public policy conditions affecting each factor, such as the cultural differences of the users, direct interactions between users and the resource, coordination among government agencies, and ministerial-level influence on the management process.; Comparison of the ICZM principles with the ARM model indicates that the ICZM principles are relatively accurate in reflecting the major factors currently affecting reef management in Antigua. However, analysis ofthe ARM model with respect to the ICZM model indicates that the ICZM principles are not realistic guidelines for a reef management approach in Antigua. Comparison of the conditions facilitating CPRs with the ARM conditions indicates that the CPR model does not fully encompass the conditions affecting reef management in Antigua. Further, the CPR model is not a realistic model for a reef management approach in Antigua due to the CPR model premise of appropriator management. Building on the ICZM and CPR models, the ARM model provides a realistic, base set of guidelines for developing an effective management program to ensure the sustainable use and conservation of Antigua's reefs.