STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION
adopted, this creates the conditions for a more active participation and a second, more ambitious cycle of the ICZM Process.
From Stakeholder Participation to Governance Nador, Morocco
The relatively rigid or step by step approach adopted in this case may look very inappropriate to a consultation process which requires considerable flexibility and open dialogue. In reality, participants prefer to be given clear instructions because it makes them feel more comfortable with the process and helps them structure their thinking in a very focused way. In addition, the rigidity is only apparent because stakeholders can go back to the drawing board any time they find inconsistencies over which they cannot find an agreement. The end result is often surprisingly detailed and well-structured even for those who have produced it.
Context Nador Province, in Morocco, is home to the largest lagoon in the southern Mediterranean, many sites of biological and ecological importance, such as Cap des Trois Fourches and the Nador watershed Gourougou, and three main urban centres, Nador, Beni Nsar and Mellilia. Lack of integration and proper management in this coastal area has led to problems, notably disputes over the land tenure system, mainly in the 24km of coastal dune belt separating the lagoon from the sea, pollution from urban sewers, landfills, industrial effluents and agricultural runoff, coastal erosion and anarchic urbanization.
The voluntary nature of the local CdLs enabled them to overcome traditional institutional obstacles and facilitated communication and cooperation between representatives of different sectors. For example, the exchange of information was not hindered by administrative formalities and excessive bureaucracy. In any case, the motivation has to be kept high by a local facilitator using a well defined methodology and working toward specific goals.
Coast day 2007 in Nador lagoon, Morocco Credit EB
Participation was based on two consultation models: direct participation based on working groups, workshops and individual meetings, and indirect participation based on e-mail exchanges. This cyclical consultation process allowed participants to follow each step closely and return several times on aspects on which they could not find a consensus.
The lagoon and the wetlands surrounding it are valuable not only because of their biodiversity but also because of their economic value, supporting such activities as small-scale fishing and fish farming. However, fisheries and fish-farming production has decreased during the past few years due to degradation in the water quality of the lagoon. The Nador project aims to promote sustainable development in the area by developing an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan of Action with the participation of civil society. Raising awareness about ICZM is another objective, as are promoting communication and collaboration between users of the coastal zone, and strengthening the capacity of the Cellule du Littoral, the unit in the Department for Environment responsible for developing a national ICZM strategy. Public and stakeholder participation was considered vital to meeting these objectives. A range of activities were conducted to better understand the interests and visions of the various groups and to encourage their participation and sense of ownership Stakeholder interviews In order to determine the priority issues to be addressed, 17 key stakeholders were selected for individual semi-structured interviews on their specific area of competence but also on their interaction and possible conflicts with other groups, their vision for the project areas, and their potential role in designing and implementing an ICZM Plan. The interviews
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