Trade off analysis for participatory coral reef management: lessons learned from Buccoo Reef Marine Park, Tobago

Coral reefs provide a range of important functions and services, yet often conflicts exist over coral reef use among multiple users. This paper outlines the trade-off analysis approach to coral reef management where multiple and conflicting objectives for coral reef resources can be identified, assessed and reconciled within a decision-support framework. The paper applies trade-off analysis to the case of Buccoo Reef Marine Park in Tobago. The case study offers an empirical application of a participatory decision support tool used in marine park management and provides wider lessons, namely that participation of heterogeneous stakeholders in the governance of natural resources requires trust building, inclusiveness, information sharing and the validation of local knowledge and experience. Findings also reveal the important role of institutions in determining the potential for successful uptake of the trade-off analysis.