4.7 Livelihoods
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- MCA Field Guide Checklist
- Phase 4: Implementation Checklist
- 4.1 Administration accounted for
- 4.2 Planning initiated
- 4.3 Outreach planned and begun
- 4.4 Science program established
- 4.5 Enforcement needs assessed and met
- 4.6 Public uses promoted and managed
- 4.7 Livelihoods identified
- 4.8 Habitat management needs realized
- 4.9 Maintenance identified and scheduled
- 4.10 Funding needs assessed and acquired for the long-term
Livelihood activities are typically community-based and include employment and income opportunities that are culturally appropriate, financially feasible, and whose viability is assured by the sustained use of natural resources. Livelihood activities should be centered on efforts that promote healthy marine and coastal ecosystems. When Marine Conservation Agreement (MCA) projects are engaged with local communities, implementers should seek to maximize direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities to help replace destructive activities. This local economic input helps reinforce the MCA’s long-term sustainability.
Livelihood possibilities include:
- Jobs that flow directly from the MCA and/or depend on the conserved resources, such as rangers, biologists, guides, and field technicians.
- Income opportunities linked to the MCA, particularly those arising from the conserved resources such as sustainable marine products and ecotourism.
- Jobs that are indirectly associated with the MCA, such as new opportunities at local schools, health facilities, community facilities, and governments that develop because living standards and sustainable business activities have improved.
For more information, see Sustainable Livelihoods Enhancement and Diversification - A Manual for Practitioners (download .pdf, 1,456k).
Next Sub-step
Having identified livelihood opportunities, implementers should recognize that many of the activities thus far have had the potential to improve or maintain habitat conditions within the MCA project area.
Proceed to 4.8 Habitat Management