|
The issue of habitat and biodiversity changes is the third priority concern of all combined
stakeholders, after pollution and decline in fisheries. The issue draws more attention from
groups who have a degree of expertise in ecological issues or are immediately impacted by
the changes which have occurred in recent times. There was a high level agreement over the
need to conserve natural conditions; however, there did not appear to be a high level of
understanding of the mechanisms that may support this.
With regard to a significant threat to biodiversity changes in the Black Sea – invasive
species, stakeholders with access to ecological information and impacted by these were
much more familiar with the issue than the broader stakeholder population. In response to
the statement: ‘new or unfamiliar creatures are in the water of the Black Sea,’ those in
agreement were from: Natural Resources, Ecology , Water or Environmental Ministry;
Fisheries National Company/ Administration/Executive Agencies; Shipping National
Company/ Administration/Executive Agencies; Parliamentary committees for environmental
protection; Non Governmental Organization (NGO); Scientists; Shipping industry ; Fishing
industry; Environmental Protection Agencies official; and Nature reserve staff groups;
Fisherman small scale; and, Public health care providers. In contrast those who disagreed
with this statement were from International Funding Institutions and the Tourism/Recreation
industry. This disagreement may be because a lack of access to information, or the
perception that their economic livelihood could be impacted, in the case of
tourism/recreation industry representatives.
In contrast, all groups agreed with the statement: ‘I no longer see some animals in and
around the Black Sea now that were here 20 years ago.’ Yet again, those with access to more
ecological information agreed more strongly.
Is terms of habitat conservation there was a discrepancy between stakeholder groups that
again mirrored the trends noted above. In response to the statement: ‘oastal development is
good for the Black Sea environment,’ there was strong agreement from the economic
ministry, industry ministry stakeholder groups. In contrast, National fisheries
companies/agencies, regulator agent official/ Enforcement agent, Non Governmental
Organization (NGO), shipping industry, Environmental Protection Agencies official, Nature
reserve staff, Fisherman small-scale, Public health care provider, Press and media, and
International Funding Institution Stakeholder groups disagreed strongly. Yet, in response to
the statement: ‘the tourism industry needs a clean environment to be profitable,’ all groups
agreed strongly.
The protection of habitats and conservation of biodiversity appears to be an issue of
importance to groups that are invested in ecosytemic approaches to environmental
management, or who have access to scientific information, in comparison to those groups
who are less informed and less likely to be directly impacted by these changes. It may be
advantageous to increase information flow to these groups, increasing the relevance of
habitat protection and biodiversity conservation to non-specialists groups. There are initial
signs that groups are moving in this direction but educational efforts should be fostered
where possible, especially to stakeholder groups mediating these changes.
|
