| We have developed the Optimisation Support (2008) | |||||||||||||
Abstract | |||||||||||||
| System (OSS), a spatial decision support system, to deliver optimal solutions to the problem of identifying comprehensive, adequate and representative locations for conservation planning. The South Australian Government is committed to establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of 19 marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2010. Each MPA will be the target for detailed investigations into its biophysical, ecological, social, economic and cultural assets. The aim is to use this information to delineate each MPA into a series of zones that offer various levels of protection and use. At the highest level all marine use and extraction activities will be excluded to allow maximum protection of species diversity and habitat. Community consultation and collaboration is therefore critical for successful MPA establishment. A demand exists for the development of a process that allows public participation within a conservation planning environment. The concept of excluding certain activities, including recreational fishing, has generated much interest in the local media. Recent headlines such as ‘Calls to | |||||||||||||
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