Analysis of Multi Stakeholder Processes in Ecosystem Based Marine Management - A Case study

Sammanfattning

Increasing public knowledge in environmental matters and decisions combined with a growingscepticism of science and distrust in management processes has pushed the need for enhanceddecision and management methods. The very use of participation has been filled with intrinsic valueand meaning, such as social, ideological, methodological and political. Stakeholder participatoryprocesses could help widen perspectives of issues and be put in different contexts, thus increasing thequality of decision-making in environmental management. The study aimed to identify the gaps andplaces of improvement with an eye to explore and understand the obstacles linked to Multistakeholder networks. The outcome of the study was aimed to support dialogic dynamics among theinvolved stakeholders and to contribute to the understanding of how these types of participatoryprocesses can be improved. The study’s focus was directed towards the three pilot projectsadministered by SwAM that worked towards developing an Ecosystem Based Marine Managementmodel. The methodology of this study involved conducting semi-structured interviews to elicitinformation from the interviewees. The results were based on the themes of StakeholderIdentification, Perceptions of pilot’s purpose, Expectations, Perceived working climate,Communication channels and Challenges. An analysis was performed respectively by comparing thedata obtained with the compiled literature on how a good MSP should work. Upon performing theanalysis, common and individual hindrances affecting the process’s effectiveness and productivitywere identified among pilots. The overall pulse of the pilot process was understood to be quite good,but it could be tweaked even more by improving certain measures. The pilot’s unique administrationand facilitation proved that MSPs could also be performed in such ways where more weightage wasplaced on ensuring a bottom-up, democratic and inclusive approach.