CREATING MULTI-SECTORAL OCEAN INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP IN MARINE SPATIAL MANAGEMENT

摘要

Marine spatial management is emerging as a key tool for managing and conserving marine ecosystems. The development and implementation of ocean zoning, especially Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks, is expanding rapidly around the world. At a global scale, ocean zoning and MPAs are being pursued in many processes through a variety of governmental, inter-governmental (e.g. UN agencies, regional bodies), with significant input from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).Ocean industries, e.g. oil and gas, shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, etc. are the principle user group affected by ocean zoning. Important new ocean uses are under development as well, e.g. offshore wind, ocean energy, carbon sequestration. The creation of ocean zones, such as MPA networks, will have major effects on industry access to marine space and resources, with significant implications for exploration, development, production and transport.It is essential that the industry constructively engage with marine spatial management efforts and stakeholders to ensure that the process is well informed and balanced. This will increase the potential for industry to respect the management regulations of ocean areas often far removed from the reach of governments. Unfortunately, industry is often not present at key ocean zoning developments, especially at the international level, and is not engaged in a constructive, coordinated manner that brings together the range of industries operating in the marine environment.Barriers to industry involvement in marine spatial management include: 1) Lack of understanding of the movement and momentum behind ocean zoning efforts; 2) Limited engagement in the multi-stakeholder processes where zoning is moving most rapidly, e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity,because industry is engaged in sectoral processes; 3) Lack of means for engaging the broader ocean business community on marine management and sustainability issues, particularly at a global level.This paper will outline the need, opportunity and progress in creating proactive, constructive industry leadership and collaboration on ocean zoning, including: 1) Developing an understanding of marine spatial management issues, stakeholders and process; 2) Actively engaging in key international multi-stakeholder processes that are pursuing MPAs and other zoning efforts; 3) Building constructive relationships among ocean industries and other ocean zoning stakeholders; 4) Creating practical experience by constructively engaging in ocean zoning developments in a specific regions.