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G reat expectations: Examining the designation effect of marine protected areas in coastal Arctic and sub‐ A rctic communities in Canada
Author(s) -
Lemelin Raynald H.,
Dawson Jackie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the canadian geographer / le géographe canadien
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.35
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1541-0064
pISSN - 0008-3658
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-0064.2013.12059.x
Subject(s) - tourism , visitor pattern , marine protected area , iucn red list , livelihood , business , product (mathematics) , geography , cultural heritage , popularity , wildlife tourism , service (business) , order (exchange) , environmental resource management , wildlife , marketing , political science , ecotourism , ecology , economics , agriculture , habitat , archaeology , geometry , mathematics , computer science , law , biology , programming language , finance
Marine protected area (MPA) proponents suggest that local communities can benefit from the designation effect that ensues from the creation of protected areas. Few studies, however, have examined the designation effect of MPAs. In order to illustrate the existing and potential designation effect of MPA establishment in Northern Canada, case studies and exploratory research instruments consisting of the following indicators—(i) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area category; (ii) natural heritage (wildlife, landscapes, seascapes); (iii) cultural heritage (authenticity of cultural heritage and sites); (iv) visitor accessibility (air, road); (v) existing service industry and product development (accommodations, restaurants, shops, guiding, information availability); (vi) existing tourism industry and site popularity; (vii) tourism funding opportunities for marketing and product development; (viii) double branding effect from the existence of parks and/or other type of protected area, and (ix) the designation effect—are used to examine the impacts of MPA designation (existing and proposed) in Northern Canada. The analysis suggests that the potential designation effect from four MPAs in Northern Canada is rather limited. Proponents and managers of MPAs would be best served to downplay the role of tourism and examine the role of other factors of local importance like livelihood during MPA designation.