Stakeholder perspectives about the governance of the Egadi Islands marine protected area (W Sicily)

A governance analysis has been conducted in the Egadi Islands MPA. Twenty-three interviews were conducted in eight stakeholder groups. Fisheries vs conservation, tourism vs conservation and fisheries vs tourism conflicts were identified. The analysis suggests that the top-down approach used in the MPA creation and management has hampered participation and acceptance, although in recent years steps were taken towards a larger involvement of stakeholders in the governance process.