Navigating blue colonialism: the case of large-scale marine protected areas in overseas territories

<p dir="ltr">Overseas territories (OTs) are critical ocean stakeholders, encompassing some of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones and marine protected areas (MPAs). Despite their significance in global ocean governance and conservation, there has been minimal study and analysis of the establishment of large-scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) in OTs, either in academic discourse or in policy debates. This gap is particularly salient given the paucity of studies examining the influence of colonialism in this context, despite it being a pervasive thread running through the past and present of OTs and protected areas alike. The objective of this research is to explore the relationships between colonialism and the implementation and governance of LSMPAs in OTs, along with their equity ramifications. This thesis addresses the gap in study and analysis noted above by asking the following question: To what extent do LSMPAs established in OTs perpetuate colonial power imbalances and inequities? To tackle this overarching question, the study examines: the motivations of metropolitan States in the creation of LSMPAs in their overseas territories; how colonial power dynamics are reflected in the governance structures and decision-making processes of LSMPAs in these territories; and the ways in which the establishment of LSMPAs in OTs may challenge or reinforce the empowerment of these territories and the self-determination of their local and indigenous populations.</p><p dir="ltr">The thesis adopts a mixed qualitative methods approach, combining a literature review, an in-depth case study of the Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail (PNMC) [Natural Park of the Coral Sea], an LSMPA in New Caledonia, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders involved in the creation and/or governance of the MPA. Collected data is interpreted using a thematic analysis, identifying patterns, trends, and relationships within the data. The working hypothesis of this thesis, based on reviewed literature, was that LSMPAs in OTs would predominantly reflect colonial power dynamics, reinforcing geopolitical interests of (ex)colonial powers and perpetuating local inequities embedded in the protected areas conservation model. This prompted the introduction of the concept of ‘blue colonialism’, to describe the persistence of metropolitan States’ colonial biases and agendas in marine conservation policies. Case study results revealed a more nuanced understanding of the intersection between marine conservation and colonial legacies in the context of the New Caledonian MPA.</p><p dir="ltr">The findings of this thesis demonstrate that while LSMPAs often mirror colonial practices, such as the marginalisation of indigenous voices, they also present OTs and their coastal communities with opportunities to challenge such inequities and advance their local interests and priorities, in and through ocean conservation policies. As international targets like 30x30 gain momentum and LSMPAs expand, this thesis shows that although these tools are influenced by colonial legacies that need addressing to prevent local inequities, they also hold potential for local empowerment and more equitable marine governance.</p>