Australia's Oceans Policy: Sink or Swim?

Abstract

In 1999, Australia introduced an ecosystem-based oceans policy. This article analyzes the issues that must be addressed in implementing this policy. Institutional arrangements and regional marine management plans are the keys to translating ecosystem management principles into day-to-day operation. The proposed institutional arrangements have the potential to overcome the historical problems of coordination and jurisdictional disputes, but implementation has further polarized federal and state agencies and stakeholders. Even if these issues are resolved, the authors note that substantial development is required in the areas of designing nested ecosystem-based management frameworks at the appropriate geographic scales, methods for integrating across the range of users and ecosystem values, and tools for evaluating and assessing ocean management decisions before the policy will affect the ecologically sustainable use of Australia's ocean estate.