Soqotra's Conservation Zoning Plan in the marine realm: Achievements, limitations and the way forward

International audienceThe Soqotra Conservation Zoning Plan (CZP) was developed through parallel participatory (democratic) and scientific (technocratic) processes, as part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded "Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Biodiversity of Soqotra Archipelago" project. The process took place before the advent of conservation planning software and the applied use of conservation genetics and ecosystem service concepts. The marine environment of the Soqotra Archipelago was virtually unknown to science when the project commenced. A few marine surveys had been completed in the Gulf of Aden, and even fewer around the islands. During the project, marine and coastal studies identified high numbers of species within all the major groups (e.g. fish, corals, molluscs etc.), unique and unusual assemblages and habitats, significant populations of focal species and endemics. The scientists were asked to use their combined knowledge to identify high priority areas for protection as either 'Nature Sanctuaries' (NS) or 'National Parks' (NP). Meanwhile, the coastal communities were consulted by project staff and asked to use their combined local knowledge to do the same. There was close agreement (~75 %) between the results of these parallel processes, and after further community consultations, the final draft CZP was legally gazetted in 2000. The majority of marine NS were within traditionally managed areas. A couple of marine NS have since been more formally established, and now attract tourists, while others have not. Changes have been detected in the status of marine communities; patterns of marine resource use and fishing effort have shifted; spawning and nursery grounds in coastal estuaries are heavily impacted near urban areas and; the effects of climate change are looming. This presentation will examine the implication of these changes for the CZP and make recommendations as to how best to now achieve effective management of the Soqotra Archipelago's marine realm