Islands of the sun and ice: perceptions and policies in small island settings of Change Islands and Fogo Island off the coast of Newfoundland and Vis and Biševo islands in Croatian Adriatic

Fürst, Bojan (2014) Islands of the sun and ice: perceptions and policies in small island settings of Change Islands and Fogo Island off the coast of Newfoundland and Vis and Biševo islands in Croatian Adriatic. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Islands are a home to over 10 percent of human population and represent evolutionary and social laboratories worthy of special attention for their biodiversity, cultural, political, economic, and strategic significance. Island studies framework used in this study provides a holistic and respectful approach to study of islands allowing for a greater engagement with islanders in describing and exploring the lived island lives. This comparative study situated on Change Islands and Fogo Island in Newfoundland, Canada, and Vis and Biševo islands in Croatia, explores perceptions and policies towards small islands in these two geographic settings. Despite the geographic differences, the islanders in both areas see population decline, education and transportation and fisheries to be the crucial development issues. Tourism has emerged in both study areas as an important economic activity. There is a conflict between islanders and policy makers that stems from different perceptions, lack of communications and undervaluing of islands. The policy framework is better in Croatia where islands are considered of strategic importance to the state. Further empowering the islanders, better communications, and policy approaches that take into consideration specificity of island conditions are steps that must be taken to foster viability of small island communities in both areas.

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