Implementation of integrated ocean management: current situation and future steps
The ecosystems in which marine fisheries operate are becoming increasingly crowded. Managing the trade-offs and cumulative impacts of the diverse activities being undertaken in the ocean has become a high priority in many countries. Although the principles of integrated marine management have been relatively well defined for over a decade, progress beyond single sector approaches largely remains a work in progress. This presentation provides an overview of international progress towards the implementation of integrated ocean management and has a particular focus on Australian examples. Many of the examples, conclusions and recommendations were derived from an international workshop on integrated marine management held in South Australia in April 2015. It was recognized at the workshop that the transition to a systematic integrated approach will not be easy, fast or simple but is likely to be gradual, iterative and adaptive and require strong leadership and stakeholder engagement. It was agreed that implementation of integrated management requires articulation and assessment of a comprehensive set of objectives and strategies that consider ecological, economic, social and institutional dimensions. The challenge is establish a broader set of common objectives across stakeholders and understand the need for trade-offs where conflicts are inevitable due to resource limitations. The presentation identifies practical steps towards the implementation of integrated ocean management and applies these to a specific Australian situation. Implications for the future fisheries management are discussed.