Mangement

Marine Parks

Introduction

Marine parks conserve marine habitats and species for the benefit of this generation and future generations. They are recognised internationally as a conservation tool. Management is a process through which goals are achieved by using a combination of human and technical skills. (Worboys et al 2001). There are four basic management functions that assist in the management process: planning, organising, leading and controlling (Bartol et al 1998). The management of marine parks requires building effective partnerships between management authorities and communities. It is of the utmost importance that communities be motivated toward active involvement in all stages of MPA planning and operation (Clark, 1988). The following discussion allows the four management process of planning, organizing, leading and controlling, and provides examples of government, private and volunteer organizations using these processes effectively to achieve results.

Planning: The first Management Function

The first management process is planning. The planning stage of an organisation is crucial as it sets direction for their goals and objectives. It involves defining goals, establishing strategies and developing plans to co-ordinate activities. To set out a plan structure is required and there are three general stages in the planning process which help illustrate this. Strategic, tactical and operational.

Strategic

Firstly the strategic level of a plan sets out the overall direction of the company. This is well illustrated in The 25 Year Strategic Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area 1994-2019. There are many strategies which are planned for the park including:

- Conservation

- Resource management

- Education, Communication, Consultation and Commitment

- Research and monitoring

- Integrated planning

- Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Interests

- Management processes

- Legislation

(can go into detail for these, they were just taken from the contents page, I will forward the plan to you all as well)

Tactical

Furthermore, after an organisation outlines its objectives and strategies a more tactical approach can be sought out. The tactical level in planning sets direction for an issue or region. This is demonstrated in The Great Barrier Reef system as the heritage area is broken up into region. One particular region of the Great Barrier Reef which exemplify's this level of planning is the Townsville and Whitsunday's area. By breaking the Reef up into regions the planning can be taken further and relate to more specific needs of the area.

The Whitsunday's management plan looks at similar objectives in the way of conservation to The 25 Year Strategic Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area 1994-2019 however it goes further into detail about plans for near-by islands and species relative to the area.

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/zoning_pom.html

Whitsunday's plan sited 16th March

(I'm sorry I haven't gone to detail but it has taken me 4 hours to find these two plans so when I go to more detail ill let you know this is what I have so far)

Tactical: setting direction for an issue or region

Townsville and Whitsunday's Management area

EXPAN http://kurrawa.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/zoning/rap/rap/maps.html

Operational:

Lastly, the operational level of planning focuses on a more remote areas or particular issue. It takes a closer look and concentrates on that issue. A particular site which exemplifies this is the Double Bay Site Plan of January 2007. It looks to mange

- zoning of the area

- Permits

- Group sizes and vessel length limits.

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/pom/whitsundays/draft_setting_5_plans

Double bay plan sited 16th March

The first management process is planning. Planning provides direction and is a

combination of setting goals, which are the targets or end results for an organisation, and

deciding how best to achieve them (Bartol et al 1998). Planning is essential in achieving

conservation goals (Worboys et al 2001). There are three levels of planning - strategic,

tactical and operational, which vary according to organisational level. The following

examples demonstrate these levels of planning within an organisation and how outcomes

for ecosystem management can be achieved.

Strategic plans are usually developed by top management and often cover a long-term

time frame (Bartol et al 1998). Gosford City Council is a local government area on the

New South Wales central coast. The remaining areas of natural bushland are fragmented

and often degraded. At a strategic planning level the council has developed a range of

plans to assist in the management of natural areas and the maintenance of the ecosystems

within those areas. The long term aim of the 2004 Sustainability report is to "meet the

needs of current and future generations through