Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity

Abstract

bolanle erinosho, hashali hamukuaya, claire lajaunie, alana malinde s. n. lancaster, mitchell lennan, pierre mazzega, elisa morgera and bernadette snow IntroductionThe ocean's enormity and depth are illustrated by the limited ability of humankind to comprehend it. The current science and policy seascape remains largely fragmented, and as a result the integrity of marine life and the well-being of those (human and nonhuman) dependent on a healthy ocean is being negatively impacted. Fragmented governance is an indirect driver of ocean biodiversity loss due to its inability to provide synergistic solutions to address simultaneously multiple direct drivers for such loss (overfishing, land-based and marine pollution, and climate change). This governance problem is well known (Kelly et al., 2019;Watson-Wright and Valdés, 2018), and to some extent it is being addressed in ongoing international negotiations on an international instrument on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (A/RES/72/249, 2017). This chapter will shed new light on these well-known problems by applying the lens of "transformative governance," understood as "formal and informal (public and private) rules, rule-making systems and actor-networks at all levels of human society (from local to global) that enable transformative change . . . towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable development more broadly," with a view to "respond[ing] to, manag[ing], and trigger[ing] regime shifts in coupled socio-ecological systems at multiple scales" (Visseren-Hamakers et al., 2021: 21; see also Chaffin et al., 2016 and Chapter 1 of this volume). We share the editors' views that there is a need to shift away "from the technocratic and regulatory fix of environmental problems to more fundamental and transformative changes in social-political processes and economic relations" (Otsuki (2015: 1; see also Chapter 1 of this volume). This can also help us to better understand how ocean biodiversity can contribute to "other environmental and social justice issues" 1 that are interwoven with the ocean in less visible ways than terrestrial biodiversity, such as poverty (Singh et al., 2018) and resource-grabbing (Virdin et al., 2021). 2 All the authors are part of the One Ocean Hub, a collaborative research for sustainable development project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) (Grant Ref: NE/S008950/1). GCRF is a key component in delivering the UK AID strategy and puts UK-led research at the heart of efforts to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, Mr. Hamukuaya was financially supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) toward this research: Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF. 1 Chapter 1 in this volume. 2 The term "ocean-grabbing" is increasingly utilized to refer to a situation "[w]here the benefits from use of finite ocean space and resources characterized as pu...

Building Capabilities for Earth System Governance

“…The IPLC are deeply dependent on marine and coastal resources. They do not just take food from the ocean; their identity as a community is connected to and shaped by the ocean (Erinosho et al, 2022). The systemic context for maritime global stakeholders is very different by contrast, as their mode of operation is driven by economies of scale, wealth maximization, and the search for precious resources.…”

Fisheries Redistribution under Climate Change

“…47 However, while quantitative progress has been made in meeting the 10 per cent target of MPAs, the qualitative aspect, that is, MPAs that are ecologically representative, well connected and equitably managed, has not received adequate 38 Request for an Advisory Opinion Submitted by the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission attention. 48 Moving forward, the first draft of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework proposes to increase protection to 30 per cent and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation through ecosystem-based solutions. 49 Obligations under the CBD relating to conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity apply to fisheries, fishing activities and conservation of marine biodiversity.…”

Transdisciplinarity in transformative ocean governance research—reflections of early career researchers

“…The diversity of researchers and collaborators means that they can break boundaries and excel outside the norm of their disciplines by generating new knowledge, learning from each other, and creating impact (Gehlert et al, 2010). A transdisciplinary approach further helps achieve adaptability and inclusivity, which are some of the key principles of transformative ocean governance (see Rudolph et al, 2020;Erinosho et al, 2022). By adaptability, the authors refer to adaptive governance that enables learning, experimentation, reflexivity, and monitoring by depending on continuous feedback loops from the environment and between different organizational levels (Cooper and Wheeler, 2015).…”

“…decision-making for ocean biodiversity (Visseren-Hamakers et al, 2021;Erinosho et al, 2022), where this paper also recognizes the importance of shifting power dynamics between sectors and actors in ocean governance more broadly to emphasize its role in blue economy priorities and improving human wellbeing (Rudolph et al, 2020). It is also important to note the growing importance and recognition for transformative ocean governance as it is identified as fundamental to achieve the SDGs and called for by both the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-the two bodies tasked with bridging the science-policy interface for the wicked problems of climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem service loss.…”