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.
History
Publication title
Australian Journal of Maritime and Ocean Affairs
Volume
6
Pagination
3-4
ISSN
1836-6503
Department/School
School of Social Sciences
Publisher
Routledge
Place of publication
Australia
Rights statement
Copyright 2014 Routledge
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Environmental policy, legislation and standards not elsewhere classified