June 4, 2024 10:00 AM
Title: Ocean Governance and the Blue Economy in Panama: Policy Coherence, Social Constructions, and Social Equity Perceptions
Committee members: Ana K. Spalding, Alison Johnston, Drew Gerkey, Daniel Suman, Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor, Jennifer Alix-Garcia
Abstract: Panama has faced longstanding challenges in ocean governance and marine resource management, often leading to adverse environmental, economic, and social outcomes. However, recent policy developments, such as adopting a blue economy approach to ocean governance and modernizing fisheries and aquaculture (F&A) legislation, represent an opportunity for improvement. My dissertation examines ocean governance and social equity within Panama’s emerging blue economy, addressing policy coherence across existing ocean policies and with blue economy goals, inclusion and participation in F&A policy formulation, and social equity perceptions of F&A management. This research highlights policy coherence assessments as valuable tools for integrating new policy objectives with existing governance goals and emphasizes the importance of inclusive decision-making and tailored management approaches. Findings offer practical recommendations for policymakers toward developing integrated ocean policy frameworks, improving stakeholder participation, and enhancing social equity in marine resource management. Insights from this research can contribute to realizing a sustainable and equitable ocean governance framework and F&A sector in Panama and other countries seeking to adopt a blue economy approach.