At the sea's edge: Elders and children in the littorals of Barbados and the Bahamas

Brent W. Stoffle, Richard W. Stoffle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Littorals in the in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas and the Bath Plantation, Barbados are comparative in many ways. These edges of the sea have provided critical services to local people during the time of slavery and since. More than food and medicine, the littoral is the nightly sea bath, where children are instructed, and the last ecosystem effectively used by the elderly. Independence and self-respect derive from use and protection of these littoral by individuals and communities. Local patterns of conservation and use are argued to be essential in the ecological structure and functions of the littoral. Development projects and marine protected areas alike are seen as potentially breaking local ties with the littoral causing trophic skew and damaging local society. If development occurs, mitigation solutions potentially derive from legally recognizing local people as partners in the co-management of their traditional littoral.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)547-558
Number of pages12
JournalHuman Ecology
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Co-adaptation
  • Environmental conservation
  • Marine protected areas
  • Social impact assessment
  • Traditional coastal communities

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology
  • Anthropology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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