Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is now widely accepted as the best means of managing the complex interactions in marine systems. However, progress towards implementing and operationalizing it has been slow. We take a pragmatic approach to EBM. Our simple definition is balancing human activities and environmental stewardship in a multiple-use context. In this paper, we present case studies on the development and implementation of EBM in Australia. The case studies (Australia’s Ocean Policy, the Great Barrier Reef, New South Wales (NSW) marine estate, Gladstone Harbour, and South Australia and Spencer Gulf) span different spatial scales, from national to regional to local. They also cover different levels of governance or legislated mandate. We identify the key learnings, necessary components and future needs to support better implementation. These include requirements for clearly identified needs and objectives, stakeholder ownership, well defined governance frameworks, and scientific tools to deal with conflicts and trade-offs. Without all these components, multi-sector management will be difficult and there will be a tendency to maintain a focus on single sectors. While the need to manage individual sectors remains important and is often challenging, this alone will not necessarily ensure sustainable management of marine systems confronted by increasing cumulative impacts.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Australia, case studies, ecosystem-based management, implementation, marine management
Research Division:	Human Society
Research Group:	Policy and administration
Research Field:	Public policy
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Coastal and estuarine systems and management
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems
UTAS Author:	Smith, DC (Dr David Smith)
UTAS Author:	Fulton, EA (Dr Elizabeth Fulton)
UTAS Author:	Haward, M (Professor Marcus Haward)
UTAS Author:	Sainsbury, Kj (Professor Keith Sainsbury)
UTAS Author:	Smith, A (Dr Tony Smith)
UTAS Author:	Vince, J (Associate Professor Joanna Vince)
UTAS Author:	Ward, TM (Associate Professor Timothy Ward)
ID Code:	120982
Year Published:	2017
Web of Science® Times Cited:	35
Deposited By:	Office of the School of Social Sciences
Deposited On:	2017-09-05
Last Modified:	2021-09-30
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