PhD defence: Estimating the values of conservation area for recreational use: The case of Sipadan, Borneo

PhD defence

Diana Emang

Abstract

Sipadan is a popular scuba diving site in Malaysia and has received a large number of visitors annually. The coral reefs of this area grow abundantly, making it one of the richest marine habitats in the world, especially in the Indo-Pacific biogeographic sea region. Sipadan is challenged by many environmental threats and also exposed to the common problem of market failure, hence creates a need for conservation measures that could protect and maintain its benefits. Using the Stated Preference technique of Choice Experiment (CE) method, this PhD research undertake a valuation survey, to assess the economic values and choice preferences associated with attributes of marine biodiversity and tourism management that relevant to the scuba diving activity at Sipadan.
The valuation survey is conducted (i) to inform related parties about the values and important outcomes that may obtained from conservation efforts on various aspects of Sipadan, in particular on the environmental quality and other attributes that matter the most to scuba divers, (ii) to explore factors that influenced choice behavior as well as affected welfare measures and (iii) to employ the idea of “conservation through use” in investigating the potential for raising revenue from scuba diving tourism at Sipadan to improve conservation. As a result, the survey has gathered valuable current information that could help conservation authority in arguing the case and potentially increase revenue for conservation actions as well as using it to deliver policies that are feasible to secure unique environmental qualities of Sipadan.

Supervisors

Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Thomas Lundhede, Associate Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Syamsul Herman Bin Mohammad Afandi, Dr., Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

Assesment Committee

Søren Bøye Olsen, Associate Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Trine Bille, Associate Professor, Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark

Ahmad Shuib, Professor, Dr., Institut Kajian Dasar Pertanian dan Makanan, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

If you are interested in a full copy of the thesis, you can contact the PhD student or one of the supervisors.