Understanding Local Perceptions and Challenges of the Marine and Coastal Ecosystem
Within the WP4 of our project, focused on the Cultural Ecosystem Services of Key Marine Species and Marine/Coastal Ecosystems, we aim to understand how different groups of people in Slovenia and Italy perceive and value the marine and coastal ecosystems of the northern Adriatic. We also seek to understand their needs concerning well-being, autonomy, and fairness.
In early March, we conducted two focus groups to explore these topics. The first focus group was dedicated to local decision-makers and managers of protected areas. This session took place at the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve in Koper, Slovenia, where we gathered representatives from various protected areas, including the Landscape Park Strunjan, Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve, Sečovlje Salt Landscape Park and Municipality of Ankaran with Landscape Park Debeli Rtič.
The goal of this focus group was to gain insights into how local decision-makers and protected area managers view the marine environment and how they navigate challenges related to its conservation and management. Through a guided interview protocol developed by project partners from the University of Ljubljana and the University of Padova, we explored three key research topics: well-being, autonomy, and fairness in relation to the marine and coastal ecosystems and key marine species.
During the discussion, participants shared their personal relationships with the sea, the specific challenges they face in their professional roles, and the needs they have for better management and conservation strategies. Their suggestions for overcoming challenges in their work were valuable.
The insights gained from this focus group will contribute to the development of an ethical matrix, which will help us to address potential ethical dilemmas in marine conservation, particularly regarding protecting key species and coastal ecosystems.
