THE NEW FRONTIER

摘要

Nearly a century after zoning was introduced to prevent the ravages of uncontrolled land devel- opment, the concept is moving offshore to protect ocean resources. From Canada's Scotian Shelf to the state waters of Massachusetts and the entire ocean territory of New Zealand, ocean managers are increasingly looking to large-scale zoning as a way to manage emerging conflicts and plan for future uses of the sea. At the most basic level, ocean zoning involves lines on a map and a set of use regulations. Geographic areas are divided into districts and the activities permitted in each are clearly defined. The districts can range from "no-go" zones where only limited scientific research is allowed to multiple-use zones that permit fishing, oil and gas extraction or specialized zones for shipping and aquaculture.