Appendix B: Stakeholder position cards ROLE: Marine biologist


BACKGROUND: You are being consulted in the creation of a new MPA in your region. With your knowledge of oceanic food webs and marine biogeography (distribution of species in the ocean), you’re considered an expert in the process. You don’t understand why anyone would oppose an MPA when they help keep the oceans healthy for everyone to enjoy.


PRIORITIES: • Preserving biodiversity of marine species


• Protecting a large, representative habitat to maximize biodiversity


• Sustaining tuna fishery • Protecting ocean for all to enjoy


ROLE: Resource manager


BACKGROUND: As a resource manager, you are going to be overseeing the establishment of the new MPA and helping manage it once it is created. You’ve heard that there is some pushback from local residents, and you know that you’ll need to address public concerns if your MPA is to succeed in the long run. You are more concerned about preserving coastal resources, like fisheries and clean water, than you are about protecting any one species or habitat.


PRIORITIES: • Preserving coastal resources for all to enjoy


• Sustaining tuna fishery


• Maintaining a sustainable population of fish and other marine life


• Addressing concerns of residents so that MPA can be suc- cessfully established


ROLE: Local politician


BACKGROUND: You are running for re-election as mayor next term and want to win to beat out your opponent. You’re not really sure what this whole Marine Protected Area thing is, and your main priority is to go along with what your constitu- ents want. You’d be willing to vote for or against the creation of an MPA, as long as the economic health of your city isn’t negatively impacted.


PRIORITIES: • Getting re-elected next term


• Keeping your constituents (residents of your city) happy • Maintaining economic viability of your city


ROLE: Commercial fisher


BACKGROUND: You’re the main provider for your family. You work on a commercial fishing vessel that fishes nearby for tuna, a valuable coastal fish. You’ve been a fisher for two decades, and your father was one, too. If this new MPA puts your employer out of business, it’ll be hard for you to provide for your family.


PRIORITIES: • Keeping your job as a commercial fisher


• Continuing to fish in the same area that your family has fished for generations


• Avoiding fisheries collapse so that you can continue fishing ROLE: Resident of nearby coastal city


BACKGROUND: You live in the city closest to where the MPA will be established. You heard about it in the newspaper the other day and you’re not really sure what it means. You enjoy going to the beach with your family and you like to swim at your favorite beach, which will be part of the new MPA. You’re not sure how you feel about the MPA. If it will prevent you from going to the same beach you have always visited, you will be against it. You’re not really sure why they’re estab- lishing it in the first place. You also enjoy eating tuna from the local fishery.


PRIORITIES: • Continuing visits to your favorite beach for recreational activities, like swimming


• Continuing to eat tuna ROLE: Recreational fisherman


BACKGROUND: You are a resident of a nearby coastal city. On the weekends, you enjoy fishing at the nearby beach with your friends. You sometimes go on charters to go deep-sea fishing to catch tuna.


PRIORITIES: • Continuing to fish at your favorite beach


• Continuing to catch tuna


Author’s note: In the future, additional role cards could include a First Nations community member, a local environmental non-profit organization, and someone who lives in the city and is afraid of/has never been to the ocean.


Green Teacher 121 Page 41


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