The lack of effective ocean policy and decision-making

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the recommendations and stated challenges and stated research gap and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 1977 and 2026, spanning 3 journals. Those papers have been cited 11 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Perspectives on an ocean management system (1979) · Ocean Development & International Law · doi

  Although each alternative has certain merits and drawbacks, we contend that assessments to date have failed to articulate precisely what prob- lems need to be addressed. It is certain that ocean use is escalating and that national ocean policy is increasingly complex. Such concerns as which issues, conflicts, and problems are of greatest importance; how serious the coordinative and resource allocation problems are; and most important, what do we want out of the oceans and at what price, have not been substantively addressed. Until these are adequately addressed, it is Downloaded by [Computing & Library Services, University of Huddersfield] at 18:39 14 January 2015 Perspectives on an Ocean Management System 287 premature to consider a major reorganization approach of the type envisioned by many of the currently debated proposals, including Presi- dent Carter's proposed Department of Natural Resources.79 This is not to say that some form of immediate action is unnecessary. Ocean policies, uses, and management responsibilities have prolifer- ated to the point where "turf battles" between agencies with similar responsibilities may severely hamper ocean management missions. Conflicts among bodies concerned with marine fisheries, oil and gas development, marine sanctuaries, ocean dumping, tanker traffic, marine recreation, and others demonstrate a clear need for an impartial oversight forum in which to resolve these increasingly interacting prob- lems. To meet this need, we strongly support the establishment of a Marine Affairs Council in the Executive Office of the President. A major function of this entity would be the resolution of ocean conflicts among federal agencies. Further, a broader ocean reorganization effort is unwise until a clearer sense of direction and purpose is developed. We urge that a second major responsibility of the Marine Affairs Council be an in-depth analysis of the need, content, and organization relative to a national ocean program. The type of study envisioned would be a follow-up to the Stratton Commission's study and the Department of Commerce's Comprehensive Ocean Policy Study. With the Comprehensive Ocean Policy Study as a foundation, this study would address the wide variety of marine policies and management authorities established since the Stratton Commission's investigation. Although the Stratton Commis- sion clearly foresaw many of the impending development and resource management conflicts, it was infeasible at that time to develop and organize a national ocean management program. Now, with the benefit of established marine management authorities and a clearer understand- ing of technological capabilities and drawbacks, it is possible to reassess the form and content of a national ocean program. The authors will devote the remainder of thi

  generalrecommendationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: ocean management marine need national conflicts addressed policy major program stratton certain drawbacks prob lems
• International ocean governance framework shaping European maritime planning and innovations for sustainable blue economy and climate resilience (2026) · Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability · doi

  The need for cross-instrument synergies, sectoral implementation incentives, and integration into national policies and plans. The challenge of balancing competing demands for limited marine space. The impact of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss on the ocean economy.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: need cross-instrument synergies sectoral implementation incentives integration national
• Assessing the state of the art in national ocean policy studies (1979) · Ocean Development & International Law · cited 4× · doi

  There is a lack of knowledge about current nation-state marine interests, decision-making, and organization for marine policy. There is a need for more research on the input and process stages of ocean policy. There is a need for more research on ocean policy in Western Europe and the Third World.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there lack knowledge about current nation-state marine interests
• The management of marine regions: The north pacific (1979) · Ocean Development & International Law · doi

  The existing management system for marine regions is fragmented and inefficient. There is a need for coordinated management policies that transcend national jurisdictions. The North Pacific region lacks a comprehensive approach to managing multiple uses of ocean space.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: existing management system marine regions fragmented inefficient there
• The management of marine regions: The north pacific (1979) · Ocean Development & International Law · doi

  The fragmentation of management systems leads to conflicts and inefficient use of resources. The lack of coordinated management policies hinders the productive use of the oceans. The decentralized research system in the North Pacific makes it difficult to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: fragmentation management systems leads conflicts inefficient use resources
• Winds of Change in the Law of the Sea (1977) · International Studies · cited 3× · doi

  The need for a comprehensive conference to review and revise the law of the sea. The importance of addressing the issue of overexploitation of marine resources. The need for a new international law of the sea that recognizes the rights of coastal states to regulate and conserve their marine resources.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: need comprehensive conference review revise law sea importance
• The management of marine regions: The north pacific (1979) · Ocean Development & International Law · doi

  Further research is needed to develop and implement coordinated management policies for the North Pacific region. The Atlas of Marine Use for the North Pacific can be used as a guide for policy analysis and decision-making. The approach to managing multiple uses of ocean space proposed in the paper can be applied to other regions and contexts.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: further research needed develop implement coordinated management policies
• Assessing the state of the art in national ocean policy studies (1979) · Ocean Development & International Law · cited 4× · doi

  More research is needed to fill the gaps in current knowledge on national ocean policies. Future research should focus on the input and process stages of ocean policy. Future research should consider the distinctive features of ocean policy, such as the natural common attribute of salt-water areas.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 3/5
  Keywords: research needed fill gaps current knowledge national ocean

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