We Woke Up With a Sign: Exclusion, Conflict and the Politics of Marine Conservation in South Africa

ABSTRACT Conservation often continues to be undertaken in ways that exclude nearby communities, despite extensive critique of such practices. Political ecologists have emphasised the unequal power relations that shape conservation management and its unequal burdens and benefits, showing how this undermines the success of particular initiatives. They challenge the exclusion of marginalised local knowledge systems and perceptions that communities do not support conservation. Building on this literature, this study examines reactions to the creation of a marine protected area (MPA) in KwaZulu‐Natal. It focuses on residents of two neighbouring communities: Nyembe and Nqutshini. Residents reported surprise about the creation of the MPA; some did not know it existed and others reported a lack of clarity about new rules. In contrast with statements from officials that neighbouring communities do not use resources and thus would not be impacted by the creation of the protected area, residents told us they do use resources and that the exclusions created by the MPA are impacting livelihoods. We also found widespread awareness of environmental concerns and support for environmental management, challenging assumptions about the need to raise community members' environmental awareness. Thus, while information about the MPA was limited, we push back against characterising the core problem as one in which residents lack knowledge. Instead, building on our data and in conversation with political ecological scholarship, we argue residents rightfully seek inclusion in the process, not information about the outcomes of decision‐making processes, and that inclusive processes are crucial for the success of the MPA. We continue to call attention to the importance of inclusive governance not only as an issue of compliance, but to develop shared understandings and practices and promote legitimacy, particularly where willingness to comply with regulations and the very legitimacy of protected areas cannot be taken for granted.