Zoning, a fundamental cornerstone of effective Marine Spatial Planning: lessons learnt from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Abstract

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established to provide for conservation and ecologically sustainable multiple use of 344,400 km2 of a large marine ecosystem. Management is based on multiple use, with zoning as a fundamental component of marine spatial planning. The legislative framework, including a specific Act and Regulations, address the objectives of ecosystembased, integrated management of human uses and impacts consistent with best contemporary understanding of biological diversity. Zoning is one of a suite of management tools that include other spatial and temporal management tools and non-spatial measures including public education, community engagement, codes of environmental best practice, industry partnerships and economic instruments. The first section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park came into operation in 1981 and the most recent zoning came into operation in mid 2004. The paper discusses some common misunderstandings about zoning and identifies lessons that appear relevant for others addressing management and use of marine ecosystems and natural resources. AbstractThe Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established to provide for conservation and ecologically sustainable multiple use of 344,400 km2 of a large marine ecosystem. Management is based on zoning as a fundamental component of marine spatial planning. The legislative framework including a specific ACT and Regulations addresses objectives of ecosystem-based, integrated management of human uses and impacts consistent with best contemporary understanding of biological diversity. Zoning is one of a suite of management measures that include other spatial and temporal management measures and non-spatial measures including public education, community engagement, codes of environmental best practice, industry partnerships and economic instruments.The first section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park came into operation in 1980 and the most recent zoning came into operation in 2004. The paper discusses some common misunderstandings and identifies lessons that appear relevant for others addressing management and use of marine ecosystems and natural resources.Conservation, ecologically sustainable use, large marine ecosystem, ecosystembased management, integrated management, ocean zoning, marine park.

Understanding Recreational Fishers’ Compliance with No-take Zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

“…Nearly 30% of respondents believed, erroneously, that property confiscation would result if they were caught fishing in no-take zones. This lack of awareness of actual sanctions is not surprising given the diversity of agencies and regulations involved in management and enforcement in the GBRMP (GBRMPA 2009, Kenchington andDay 2011). Although the perception that sanctions are more severe than they actually are appears to be having a positive effect on compliance levels, reliance on misperceptions to promote compliance may not be a viable strategy for two reasons.…”

Policy Integration and Multi-Level Governance: Dealing with the Vertical Dimension of Policy Mix Designs

“…The integration efforts made in this case were more effective and serve as an example of successful multilevel governance, multiple use management, marine spatial planning and integration between jurisdictions, sectors and communities (see Kenchington & Day, 2011); overcoming the challenges with vertical and horizontal integration posed to achieve biodiversity conservation in the face of complex political conflicts. The results from the integrated management efforts made by governments in the case of Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) highlight the point made in the ICZM case above concerning the need to early recognize and act on the appropriate dimension(s)-horizontal or vertical or both-of a mix if better integration is to be achieved, often involving the exercize of some central control over local issues and concerns.…”

Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas: guidelines for design and management

“…For more information about zoning and marine spatial planning in MPAs, refer to Douvere & Ehler, (2011), Agardy (2010, Gilliand & Laffoely (2008), Day (2011), Kenchington Day (2011), and Grantham, et al (2013 Effective access and zoning should:…”