Problems with existing System
・ Narrowly Based, Adversarial Decision Making
- Most decisions are prompted by special interests wishing to preserve or promote their own particular use of the marine environment without consideration of other uses, or for broader social considerations
・ Short-term Thinking
- Policy makers, in order to maintain support for their programs, often push for results in the short term, rather than recognizing the need for long-term planning; short-term programs are not the best way to achieve long term results
・ Complexity and Uncertainty of the Ocean System
- Consequences of activities are often poorly understood and difficult to predict with any certainty
Governance Improvements
・ Adopt an area management approach
- Allows governing authorities to address effects on multiple use of resources
- Links sectoral programs to one another in the context of deciding the best use of resources within an area
・ Develop overarching national goals and principles above and beyond guidance in specific statutes
- Provides national guidance on the overall goals for the nation's oceans and coasts
- Articulates the principles that should be used to guide decision making throughout the ocean governance system
- Serve as basis for solving conflicts or assigning priorities
