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Oceans governance and marine spatial planning in Australia

Author
Vince J
Journal/Series
Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs | Vol 6 (1)
Date
2014
Source
IUCN (ID: ANA-091051)
Publisher | Place of publication
Taylor & Francis Group Ltd | Abingdon, U.K.
ISSN
1836-6503
Document type
Article in periodical
Language
English
Country/Territory
Australia
Subject
Sea
Keyword
Governance Marine resources management Climate change Marine area Policy/planning
Abstract

Australian ocean governance faces the challenge of sustaining a balance between marine resource use and conservation while dealing with pressing threats resulting from climate change such as sea level rise, fisheries food security, IUU fishing and ocean acidification. Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a way forward for dealing with these challenges in oceans governance. This paper examines a recent Commonwealth MSP initiative in Australia: Marine Bioregional Plans (MBPs) that are based on large marine ecosystems and provide the framework for the establishment of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas. Four MSP conditions are introduced: use of ecosystem-based approaches; spatial orientation; integration; and a multilevel policy framework. By analysing MBPs utilising these conditions, this paper outlines the challenges and accomplishments of this MSP process.