Australian Oceans Policymaking

作者：Tsamenyi Martin^*; Kenchington Richard

来源：Coastal Management, 2012, 40(2): 119-132.

DOI：10.1080/08920753.2012.652519

• Australian oceans policy
• integrated oceans management
• ocean governance
• Offshore Constitutional Settlement
• South-east Regional Marine Plan

The need for an integrated oceans policy became a fundamental public policy issue for many coastal States following the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC) in November 1994. Australia%26apos;s Oceans Policy was released in December 1998 and sets the framework for integrated and ecosystem-based planning and management. Australian Oceans Policy resulted in the establishment of a robust biophysical understanding of the bioregions of Australia%26apos;s oceans jurisdiction, particularly the exclusive economic zone. Australia%26apos;s Oceans Policy also achieved engagement with sectors that had previously not been involved with oceans governance issues. Despite its achievements, the Australian Oceans Policy was not successful for a number of reasons. First, the Policy failed to achieve the support of the states comprising the federation of Australia, with the consequence that regional marine plans were not integrated with the 3 nautical miles jurisdiction of the states. Second, the Policy was transformed from a multi-ministerial/departmental integrated approach to a sectoral environmental activity with consultation. Third, management measures and performance criteria were not clearly spelled out. In the end, Australia%26apos;s Oceans Policy became a sectoral solution and not an integrated one as was envisaged.

• 出版日期2012