Marine and estuarine protected areas in Tasmania, Australia: The complexities of policy development

Although international support for marine and estuarine protected areas (MEPAs) has been evident since the 1960s national and sub-national governments have often been slow to establish MEPAs. Attempts to establish MEPAs in the Australian State of Tasmania are used as a case study of the complexities of policy development. The case study highlights the influence of legislative, institutional, and political factors in the development of MEPAs. The analysis of Tasmanian MEPAs leads to a consideration of relevant lessons for the development of such areas elsewhere.