Publications

PDF file

• International Agreements: Australia's Ocean Policy - Background Paper 2 (PDF - 481 MB)

Introduction

The Australian Government is committed to the development of a comprehensive and integrated oceans policy for Australia under Coasts and Clean Seas of the National Heritage Trust. The oceans policy is intended to provide the strategic framework for, inter alia, the planning, management and ecologically sustainable development of Australia's fisheries, shipping, petroleum, gas and seabed resources while ensuring the conservation and protection of the marine environment. Environment Australia has the lead for development of the oceans policy.

The Centre for Maritime Policy (CMP), University of Wollongong was commissioned by the Portfolio Marine Group of Environment Australia to undertake a review of the international instruments influencing the use and management of Australia's marine environment. This report is the outcome of that project. The report is divided into two parts, the first lists those international instruments of relevance to an Australian oceans policy, provides a description of the instruments, and identifies some implications of the instruments for oceans policy development. The second part summarises the experiences of certain other nations in development of oceans policy.