Stakeholder Dynamics in Melkhoutfontein, St Helena Bay and Bluewater Bay Report

Melkhoutfontein, St Helena Bay, and Bluewater Bay are located within the southern Benguela Current System, one of the four major eastern-boundary current systems worldwide, characterised by wind-driven upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich waters. The communities in these regions face significant and immediate risks due to their high social vulnerabilities amidst ongoing global environmental changes. This research was undertaken as part of the Eco-ACE project, where these sites serve as critical case studies to explore socio-ecological dynamics and adaptive capacities in the context of global change.

Addressing these complex challenges requires a comprehensive approach to enhance the adaptive capacity of vulnerable coastal groups. This is pursued through a transdisciplinary, iterative co-design methodology applied at the community scale, which integrates social and ecological knowledge and promotes meaningful science-stakeholder engagement.

Nonetheless, achieving effective solutions demands consistent efforts in identifying and engaging various stakeholders across the case study sites. A thorough desktop review remains essential to accurately identify the roles of both internal and external actors in these communities. To this end, we undertook a detailed stakeholder identification process tailored to each focal site.