economic impact

UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2019

This volume presents academic papers and personal reflections written by the participants of the UAUCU student research exchange project 2019. These texts reflect the diversity of academic disciplines and approaches, as well as the diversity in cultural background, of this year’s participants. The program, which offers students from the University of Aruba (UA) and University College Utrecht (UCU) the opportunity to conduct research in a multidisciplinary international student team, has already proven a successful formula: work presented in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 volumes led to international publications, and thesis awards for several program alumni. We anticipate similar achievements for contributors to the 2019 edition.

The academic works included here treat topics like identity, culture, social and mental wellbeing, the social crisis plan, economics, and environmental conservation. The nature of the research is equally far-ranging, including pilot projects, theoretical explorations verified with respondent data, in-depth environmental studies, and sociocultural studies that explore fundamental issues confronting society. The diverse papers are linked by a common interest in sustainable societies, reflecting a strong sense of community awareness, and providing research findings that have meaning for Aruban society. The papers further demonstrate how the student researchers’ collaboration in a multidisciplinary team has influenced their approach to their work. The papers here are products of peer-to-peer learning: the student authors provided each other with feedback on content, method, style, language, and structure. In general, the papers appear as submitted by the authors -- including perhaps the odd raw opinion or hasty generalization. Some of the student-researchers are still working on the interpretation and presentation of their findings, and will later finalize project papers, or bachelor or master theses, based on the results of fieldwork presented.

The contents of this volume:

  • Of People and Mangroves: illustrations of a social-ecological system.
  • Off-road driving and the ecosystem: An analysis of the impacts on landscape functionality.
  • Is it for me or the money? Local Inclusion in Tourism Development in Aruba.
  • Mapping the Health Services Responses to Child Maltreatment: The Aruban Case.
  • Social Crisis Plan Aruba 2018-2020: Stimulating and Hindering Factors.
  • Once a Thief, Always a Thief? Factors Helping or Hindering the Reintegration of Ex-Prisoners on Aruba.
  • Early detection of visual disorders in children in Aruba and assurance of timely care and services: The approach of the MDT-VOV.
  • From dependent student to independent pupil: the developmental impact of the Academic Foundation Year on Aruban students.
  • Sharing stories bou palo: the making of heritage in a Caribbean oil town.
  • The import costs of fruits and vegetables on Aruba: mitigating the volatility of prices to ensure sustainable supply.
Date
2019
Data type
Research report
Theme
Research and monitoring
Report number
5th Edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange
Geographic location
Aruba
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The consequences of construction activities associated with the build- ing of the second megapier on the coral reefs near the Holiday Beach Hotel, Curacao

On April 22nd, 2017, vessels (a large barge and a smaller working boat) that aid with the construction of the second megapier on Curacao were observed operating away from the megapier location in front of the Holiday beach Hotel (HBH). They were extremely close to shore where the barge (holding a pile driver) appeared to be anchored (Fig.1) while the working vessel pulled a large yellow object around, presumably a buoy used to anchor vessels and/ or barges (Fig. 2). Bystanders later stated that the barge was in front of the HBH before the 22nd but was towed away by a tugboat on Saturday. Presumably all aforementioned activities concern the preparations to install to pilings in front of the HBH that will be used for mooring cruise ships docked at the future second megapier...

Date
2017
Data type
Other resources
Geographic location
Curacao

An Economic and Social Study of the Saba Marine Park, Saba, Netherlands Antilles.

The Dutch island of Saba in the North Eastern Caribbean has been surrounded by a protected area since 1987. This area known as the Saba Marine Park was developed as a result of a project initiated in 1984 by the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles which was aimed at strengthening the economy of Saba through dive tourism. In 1987 the Saba Marine Park (SMP) was officially established through the Marine Environment Ordinance, Saba and within six years became self-financed, by charging user fees, selling souvenirs and accepting donations. In 1994/95 a cost benefit analysis determined that the Park was responsible for generating US $ 3 million towards the islands Gross Domestic Product of US $14 million, and continues to play a major role in the sustainable development of the environment, the economy and the social well-being of the islands people. The incomes and expenses of the SMP were itemized and the activities with the greatest benefit/cost ratio calculated to form recommendations for the economic development of the Park.
Visiting divers indicated a preference towards Saba for their diving vacation because of the opportunity to dive in an unspoiled and protected location. A multi-criteria analysis carried out in conjunction with the cost/benefit analysis consolidated local peoples, and visitors opinions of the SMP. These opinions varied , but in general people understood the economic benefits of the Park to the island but stressed that aspects such as communication, education and a wider distribution of benefits from the Marine Park needed developed in the future.  

Date
1999
Data type
Research report
Theme
Governance
Report number
CANARI Technical Report Nº 262
Geographic location
Saba

An Economic and Social Study of the Saba Marine Park, Saba, Netherlands Antilles.

The Dutch island of Saba in the North Eastern Caribbean has been surrounded by a protected area since 1987. This area known as the Saba Marine Park was developed as a result of a project initiated in 1984 by the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles which was aimed at strengthening the economy of Saba through dive tourism. In 1987 the Saba Marine Park (SMP) was officially established through the Marine Environment Ordinance, Saba and within six years became self-financed, by charging user fees, selling souvenirs and accepting donations. In 1994/95 a cost benefit analysis determined that the Park was responsible for generating US $ 3 million towards the islands Gross Domestic Product of US $14 million, and continues to play a major role in the sustainable development of the environment, the economy and the social well-being of the islands people. The incomes and expenses of the SMP were itemized and the activities with the greatest benefit/cost ratio calculated to form recommendations for the economic development of the Park.
Visiting divers indicated a preference towards Saba for their diving vacation because of the opportunity to dive in an unspoiled and protected location. A multi-criteria analysis carried out in conjunction with the cost/benefit analysis consolidated local peoples, and visitors opinions of the SMP. These opinions varied , but in general people understood the economic benefits of the Park to the island but stressed that aspects such as communication, education and a wider distribution of benefits from the Marine Park needed developed in the future.  

Date
1999
Data type
Research report
Theme
Governance
Report number
CANARI Technical Report Nº 262
Geographic location
Saba

Social and Economic Impacts of Marine Protected Areas: A Study and Analysis of Selected Cases in the Caribbean

The four marine protected area (MPA) cases treated in this study have a number of features in common They are relatively small in size, they are entirely or mostly marine, they are multiple-use areas, they were established for the protection and management of important marine ecosystems, and they provide a range of recreational opportunities. The Wreck of the Rbone Marine Park in the British Virgin Islands forms somewhat of an exception in that the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamer Rhone is the main feature of the park.
The recreational opportunities in these MPAs attract a large number of - mostly overseas - visitors, who engage in a variety of activities (the most important of which is SCUBA diving) while visiting the areas and most of whom stay for only a few days. About half of these visitors were unaware of the existence of the MPAs prior to their arrival and consequently, the existence of the areas was not very important in their decision to visit the destination. Yet the existence of the MPAs was important or very important to most visitors in their decision to engage in recreational activities in the areas.
Although visitor spending varies widely among the four MPAs studied, the visitation associated with the existence of the MPAs has an undisputed economic impact. The case studies demonstrate that there is a consumer surplus: 45-50% of the visitors would spend l0-20% more on the costs related to their visiting the areas before they would decide to visit a less expensive destination. This willingness to spend more appears to be related to a large extent to features connected with the protected status of the area (quality of the environment and marine life). Also, a considerable portion of the visitors might not return if the quality of the environment were to degrade. A considerable percentage of visitors would furthermore pay higher fees than the present fees, In order to optimize revenue for protected area management and economic impact in general, MPAs and their special features need to be better marketed.
Although the MPAs that are the subject of the case studies can generally be considered successful, there is much room for improvement. In some cases the economic benefits are not evenly distributed among the different sectors in the community, while certain user groups feel disadvantaged by the restrictions imposed on them. Conflicts between different user groups exist in some cases, while crowding and overuse are also seen as existing or imminent problems.
In all cases there appears to be a need to improve or expand education programmes to increase awareness and support among the local population. There is also a need to carry out more biological, economic and social research of marine protected areas, in addition to resource monitoring and statistical information collecting. The results thereof will enable protected area management agencies to demonstrate the value of these MPAs and to increase political and community support.

Date
1998
Data type
Research report
Theme
Governance
Report number
CANARI Technical Report Nº 252
Geographic location
Saba