Navigating the seascape of ocean management: waypoints on the voyage toward sustainable use

Abstract

Some societies have sustainably managed their local marine resources for centuries using traditional methods, but we are only beginning to learn how to do it at larger scales, including globally. A broad, deep and constantly growing body of ocean knowledge has developed, adding many new concepts, perspectives, management models and analytical tools into the knowledge base in a relatively short period. Such rapid growth has created a potentially confusing mash-up of ideas, acronyms, The purpose of this paper is to assist policy makers, marine managers and those considering careers in this area by providing a short history of ocean management, its conceptual foundation, frameworks for modern management and examples of its application at different scales. Extensive literature exists to supplement the summarized information we present.We highlight the following terms as navigational markers through the 'seascape' 1 of marine management rhetoric: sustainability, ecosystem approach, ecosystem-based management, natural capital, ecosystem services, integrated ecosystem assessment, the causal framework DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) and its variants, indicators and reference points, marine area planning, marine spatial management (including decision support tools), adaptive ocean management and dynamic ocean management. We also point out the important roles of marine initiatives such as Blue Economy, the Ocean Health Index, Large Marine Ecosystems, Seascapes, Protected Areas and others. Understanding the similarities, differences, relationships and synergies among these activities increases the likelihood of achieving successful management processes or solutions. 1We use 'seascape' (lower case) to describe the panorama of concepts, acronyms, techniques, tools and regulations germane to marine management. 'Seascape' and 'Oceanscape' (upper case) signify specific programs for integrated management at large-scales.

Integrated ocean management for a sustainable ocean economy

“…• Marine spatial planning (MSP), also known as 'maritime spatial planning' and 'coastal and marine spatial planning' , is a process used to create geospatial plans that identify what spaces of the ocean are appropriate for different uses and activities. MSP is widely used for setting targets for and implementing ecosystem-based management 85 . • Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), also called 'integrated coastal management' , is 'the process of managing the coast and nearshore waters in an integrated and comprehensive manner with the goal of achieving conservation and sustainable use' 85 .…”

“…MSP is widely used for setting targets for and implementing ecosystem-based management 85 . • Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), also called 'integrated coastal management' , is 'the process of managing the coast and nearshore waters in an integrated and comprehensive manner with the goal of achieving conservation and sustainable use' 85 . ICZM covers the full cycle, including information collection, planning, decision-making, management and implementation 86 .…”

“…ICZM covers the full cycle, including information collection, planning, decision-making, management and implementation 86 . • Adaptive ocean management is 'a systematic process for continually improving management policies and practices toward defined goals by learning from the outcomes of previous policies and practices' 85 . By scheduling periodic reviews of and updates to management plans, adaptive ocean management acknowledges that policies must be adjusted as conditions and knowledge change.…”

Integrated Research for Integrated Ocean Management

“…Various means exist that are aimed at the sustainable management of marine resources, including ecosystem-based management (EbM), local to regional planning processes such as Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), and a variety of other area-based management (ABM) approaches, including MPAs (Figure 1) (Winther et al, 2020;Dunstan et al, 2021). Such means are adaptive in order to adjust to changing conditions and new knowledge for constantly improving management policies and practices (Katona et al, 2017;Winther et al, 2020). EbM is defined as "an integrated approach to management that considers the entire ecosystem, including humans" (McLeod et al, 2005).…”