Using Stakeholders’ Perception to Evaluate the Prospects of Establishing Marine Protected Areas in the Niger Delta Coastal Ecosystem

Abstract This study assesses the Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Legal, and Environmental (PESTLE) factors for establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Niger Delta coastal waters. Interview and questionnaire methods were used to collect the needed information from locals and environmental experts. The locals include fishermen from four (4) coastal locations in the Niger Delta while experts include relevant government institutions, researchers, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Data collected from the survey were analyzed and used to determine the state of 18 PESTLE sub-criteria, and Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) was used to find the sub-criteria weights (importance). The stakeholder’s perceptions on potential MPAs were analyzed and compared with Relative Importance Index (RII). Results show stakeholders agree more on the prioritization of MPA implementation criteria and expected benefits but agree less on the MPA objectives and beneficiaries. Environmental prospects for MPAs in the Niger Delta have the highest performance score and vice versa for the political and technical capacity for MPA implementation and management. The study concludes Niger Delta has potentials for MPAs which can be achieved through addressing the identified weaknesses and threats.