Collaborative Governance between the State and Coastal Communities in Aquatic Resource Management: A Case Study of Phetchaburi

Abstract

        The objectives of this research were to study the cooperation mechanisms between coastal communities and the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 3, Phetchaburi, in the management of coastal aquatic resources, as well as to examine the factors influencing coastal aquatic resource management.

        The findings revealed that the overall cooperation mechanism was at a high level. The dimension with the highest mean score was the structure and role of cooperation, followed by the communication and information exchange process, and joint decision-making and participation. Likewise, the overall management of coastal aquatic resources was also at a high level, with conservation and resource restoration showing the highest mean score.

      The results of step-wise multiple regression analysis indicated that trust between the community and the government, the structure and role of cooperation, the communication and information exchange process, the roles of relevant stakeholders, government support, and joint decision-making and participation were able to jointly predict coastal aquatic resource management at 57.60% (R² = .576) with statistical significance at the 0.01 level.Furthermore, the qualitative findings reflected that the development of cooperation mechanisms should emphasize two-way communication, the provision of budget support, knowledge, and technology appropriate to the local context, as well as the enhancement of transparency and trust between the government and the community in order to strengthen the sustainability of collaborative coastal aquatic resource management.