Conflicts and acceptability of visitation management measures for a marine protected area: The case of Porquerolles, Port-Cros National Park

Abstract

Along the touristic coastlines, Marine Protected Areas are particularly coveted by an increasing number of visitors. This influx has encouraged the implementation of monitoring and management measures by managers of protected areas that promote tourism consistent with biodiversity conservation. However, the choices that need to be made to enforce these measures are particularly complex for they need to take into account the concerns of not only a territory that produces wealth for the local population and those who live in close proximity (due to the attraction to tourists) but also those of a territory that is sensitive and vulnerable environmentally speaking. With regard to the approach initiated by the Port-Cros National Park on the carrying capacity and character of the Park's core areas, we conducted a conflict diagnosis on Porquerolles, an island within the core area. Our aim was to bring to light the territorial realities relating to past and recent conflict situations, the reasons for disputes and the methods of managing them, thus providing focal points that would be useful to help with implementing measures relating to visitation to the island. This study, comprised of interviews, questionnaires, in-situ observations and analyses of legal documents, enabled us to go back over the conflicting history of the territory. It revealed a characterisation and spatialisation of disputes, including breaches of the Environmental Code. This research provided a framework within which the factors influencing the acceptability of visitor management measures could be reflected upon. Three conditions necessary for acceptability were identified for the island of Porquerolles using the conflict analysis: recognising and addressing a differential threshold of acceptance relating to visitation; strengthening trust between the different stakeholders and the proximities on the territory; envisaging a firmer penal policy to reduce the feeling of injustice associated with specific efforts in environmental protection.