Decision processes for large marine ecosystems management and policy

A number of studies have speculated on the utility of publicly available information for decision-making in the context of large marine ecosystems (LME) management. An indicator-based study using the pressure-state-response model was carried out among senior decision-makers in the Seychelles government to determine (i) whether the precautionary principle is applied in policy development; (ii) the relative importance of 'control-and-command' and market mechanisms in the management of living marine resources; (iii) the influence of pubic opinion in decision-making and (iv) linkages between the various LME management modules. Results indicate that policy-makers in Seychelles apply the precautionary principle in most situations, are more oriented towards the 'command-and-control' approach, and are very sensitive to public opinions. The study further indicated that whilst policy-makers in Seychelles acknowledged the use of indicators within the LME strategy, some gaps including limitations of indicators in conveying complex interactions were identified which require further study. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.