Striking a Balance Improving Stewardship of Marine Areas (1997) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-7
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At the same time, demands on the coastal marine environment have been intensifying through the rapid migration of people to the coasts, the growing importance of the coasts and ocean as areas for aesthetic enjoyment, and increasing pressures to develop ocean resources and spaces for economic benefits (e.g., commercial fisheries, marine aquaculture, marine energy, and mineral resources)
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The biological integrity of the sea is being steadily impaired, as has been demonstrated by declining fish resources and the loss of critical coastal habitats. In addition, growing conflicts about, and intensity of use of, marine resources often result in wasted economic or social opportunities.
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Existing government mechanisms typically operate through relatively rigid hierarchical structures. As a result of the case studies and other investigations of existing marine and coastal programs, and based on the performance standards developed at the outset of this study, the committee concluded that any system for improving the governance and management of the coastal areas must include the following elements: · a method for developing common goals and objectives in harmony with broad national interests · opportunities for policy-making and decision-making authority at the local or regional level · effective management tools designed to deal with the particular problems of resource use in the marine environment Significant large-scale changes to existing systems of governance and management will be required before improvements can be realized.
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In a federalist structure, the top level of the organization serves an ongoing role as the enabler of the process by creating an environment that allows local groups to make their own decisions by providing training, by offering advice when requested, by serving as a repository of technical expertise, and by supporting the implementation of actions after decisions have been made. The top level of the organization also provides mechanisms for reconciling differences among decentralized authorities.
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· Success should be measured by a clear system of monitoring and evaluation. The system recommended in this report has four basic components: · creation of a National Marine Council to improve coordination among federal agencies, monitor the marine environment, facilitate regional solutions to marine problems, and facilitate interagency problem solving creation of regional marine councils where they are needed to provide innovative approaches to complex marine governance issues at the operational level · enhancement of the ability of individual federal programs to succeed in their missions · adoption of management tools that would increase the effectiveness of regional councils and individual agencies National Marine Council The National Marine Council would be made up of directors of federal ocean and coastal agencies and would report directly to the President.
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Regional Marine Councils In situations where there are long-standing conflicts among local or regional interests or where there are risks to marine resources or the environment, the National Marine Council should encourage the formation of regional councils. Regional councils would provide technical assistance on marine management issues, ensure the application of scientific and monitoring information, develop alternative processes for resolving disputes, encourage participation by local interests in governance decisions, and pursue contractual arrangements with stakeholders and other participants.
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These tools include zoning and the creation of refuges, systems for establishing liability for environmental or other damage, compensation for the economic losses of certain stakeholders, user charges and transferable entitlements to regulate demands on marine resources, and negotiating ways to mitigate activities that harm marine resources or space. These management tools are discussed in detail in Chapter 6 of this report.
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