A guide for planners and managers - IUCN

PART III
Case Histories of Marine Protected Areas
In June 1987, Government moved to provide more effective protection by
declaring a major part of Caroni Swamp a Protected Area and to seek restricted access
and resource exploitation activity within the whole area. The number of Scarlet Ibis
remained fairly constant, but nesting activity had rapidly declined and virtually
ceased by the late 1980’s. It appeared that the management system designed for this
coastal MPAwas proving ineffective.
This study examines some of the factors that may have contributed to the
decline in ibis nesting and the ecological status of its mangrove habitat, in relation
to the management strategy used. The lessons learned have general application to other
tropical coastal protected areas.
Problems in Protected Area Management
The management system introduced in Caroni was a traditional ‘top-down’ approach,
using a government agency to enforce protective legislation. However, the low level
of national commitment to habitat and wildlife conservation during the 1980’s and
early 1990’s resulted in inadequate provision for manpower and equipment for
effective policing. Shortages of wardens, vehicles, boats and finance at the Wildlife
Section led to poor enforcement, despite a high level of commitment by the staff. Further
to this, the regulatory agency experienced a lack of cooperation from resource users
on two fronts. Firstly, establishment of the sanctuary and the later expansion of the
protected area alienated fishermen, oyster collectors and hunters; many of whom had
a long history of access and resource use in the Caroni Swamp. Secondly, there was
a regrettable failure to involve the tour boat operators in conservation decisionmaking.
This resulted in an inequitable situation in which large sums of money were
being made by some tour operators, while Government had to foot the bill for
management of the swamp resources on which their livelihood depended.
Secondly, when a period of further research was initiated by the University of
the West Indies in 1993, it became apparent that a number of ecological changes had
occurred in Caroni Swamp. These included a marked increase in ambient salinity,
considerable spread of mangrove vegetation resulting in occlusion of several of the
swamp channels and areas of open lagoon, and a general decline in plant and animal
diversity. The managers appeared to be unaware of these changes, and made no
adjustment to customary management practices (although a number of regular
visitors commented on the deterioration in the tourism experience).
Lessons Learned
An initial mistake appears to have been providing protection only to one component
of the ibis habitat range. Mangrove forest and tidal mudflats were effectively protected,
but the associated freshwater habitat was not—meanwhile this was being reclaimed
and depleted. The sizeable area of mangrove swamp which was protected provided
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