Dealing with interests displaced by marine protected areas: A case study on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Structural Adjustment Package

摘要

The story of the GBRMP SAP highlights the importance of government assistance programs in MPA practice. If robust structures are not put in place that minimise the opportunities for political interference and industry influence, there is the potential for excessive payouts to be made that undermine the social benefits of MPAs. In order for these structures to be established, government assistance programs need to be treated as an integral part of the MPA process. In the GBRMP RAP, this did not occur. The Australian Government deliberately split the issue of assistance away from the rezoning process. The conduct of the rezoning process was entrusted to an independent statutory agency, GBRMPA, while the assistance program was controlled by the Government. The Government then delayed the consideration of the assistance program until immediately before the new rezoning plan took effect. Once established, the Government repeatedly adjusted the SAP to address program deficiencies and political issues.