A study of relationships between sustainable management, integrated environmental management and information: Presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Resource Management

Abstract

A group of eight post graduate students from Lincoln University undertook this study in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Science in Resource Management. The topic we have identified is: A study of the Relationships between Sustainable Management, Integrated Environmental Management and Information. How can this relate to the Management of Aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds? It is our thesis that good information is a necessary precondition for the sustainable management of any resource. The purpose of this report is to explore and test this thesis through the concepts of sustainable management, integrated environmental management and information. From this exploration, we identify information pressure areas which can have a significant impact on achieving the goals of sustainability. Our findings are then applied to aspects of the management of aquaculture in the Marlborough Sounds. From this analysis, recommendations are suggested which could help lead to more sustainable outcomes in the management of aquaculture in the Sounds. These can be found at the end of chapter 7. This research was conducted mostly on a theoretical level and purposefully with no specific audience in mind because we feel there are valuable insights for all resource managers. By studying the relationship between sustainable management, integrated environmental management and information, and identifying ways of analysing and improving the flow of information in resource management decision processes, we aim to make a contribution to the general pool of knowledge regarding resource management.