Posted: August 14th, 2022

Strategies for Ocean Health and Resilience Policy

Strategies for Ocean Health and Resilience Policy

The ocean is a vital source of life, livelihoods, and economic opportunities for billions of people around the world. However, the ocean is facing multiple threats from climate change, overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and other human activities that undermine its health and resilience. To address these challenges, there is a need for effective and inclusive policies that balance the conservation and restoration of ocean ecosystems with the sustainable development of ocean-based sectors such as fisheries, tourism, energy, and transport.

One of the emerging approaches to achieve this balance is marine spatial planning (MSP), which is a process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives . First compiling insights into the geography, valued resources, and current stakeholder uses of a given location, planners then protect sensitive environmental characteristics to ensure resilient ecosystems while allowing compatible uses to share ocean space and avoid potential conflicts . MSP can also support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 on life below water, by promoting integrated and ecosystem-based management of marine resources .

Another approach is to foster the growth of a blue economy, which is defined as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems . A blue economy can offer opportunities for innovation, investment, and job creation in sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, biotechnology, coastal tourism, and waste management. However, to realize these opportunities, there is a need for enhancing the enabling environment for blue economy development, such as through improving governance and regulatory frameworks, mobilizing finance and partnerships, building capacities and skills, and mainstreaming the values of marine natural capital into decision-making .

Both MSP and blue economy initiatives require sound scientific knowledge and evidence to inform policy-making and planning. Therefore, advancing ocean science and technology (S&T) is crucial for understanding the ocean in the earth system, promoting economic prosperity, ensuring maritime security, safeguarding human health, and developing resilient coastal communities . Ocean S&T can also support the implementation of the Paris Agreement by providing solutions to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change on the ocean . To enhance ocean S&T, there is a need for strengthening research capacities and infrastructures, enhancing data collection and sharing, fostering interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations, and increasing public awareness and engagement .

In conclusion, strategies for ocean health and resilience policy should aim to balance the conservation and restoration of ocean ecosystems with the sustainable development of ocean-based sectors. This can be achieved by applying approaches such as MSP and blue economy development, supported by advancing ocean S&T. These strategies can also contribute to achieving the SDGs and the Paris Agreement goals.

Bibliography

Sea Education Association. Strategies for Ocean Health and Resilience Policy. accessed 29 November 2023.

Asian Development Bank. Healthy Oceans Implementation Plan 2022–2024 (ADB 2022).

United Nations. Our Ocean Our Future: Call for Action (UN 2022).

White House Office of Science & Technology Policy. Vision for Inclusive Ocean Science & Technology (OSTP 2022).

Subcommittee on Ocean Science & Technology. Science & Technology for America’s Oceans: A Decadal Vision (SOST 2018).

UNFCCC. Enhancing Resilience of Oceans Coastal Areas & Ecosystems: Report on Activities under Nairobi Work Programme (UNFCCC 2020).

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