Introduction
For territories in the Pacific, the sea represents a significant portion of the local authority. The preponderance of biodiversity and the significant cultural, social, and economic points may be found therein. However, local nations’ development and conservation plans are mostly concentrated on land, even though improvements in marine spatial planning (MSP) can positively impact the economy, society, and the environment.
Discussion
The necessity for MSP adoption is apparent in several parts of the Pacific. For instance, French Polynesia’s human impact severely affects the local biodiversity in Moorea’s coral reef (Loiseau et al., 2021). Highly productive coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows, salt marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs, have already been severely reduced by human activities to the point where the associated commodities, services, and cultural advantages are at sustainability risk (Loiseau et al., 2021). The fore reefs of Moorea have seen multiple acute disturbances over the last decades, including two cyclones, a crown-of-thorns starfish epidemic, and five bleaching episodes (Loiseau et al., 2021). Many of these episodes resulted in coral cover returning to its pre-disturbance levels (Loiseau et al., 2021). However, the current scenario demonstrates that due to increased human activities, coral assemblages have altered dramatically, and the cascade consequences on fish have resulted in a deficit in biodiversity and ecological functioning (Loiseau et al., 2021). Critical zoning interventions are thus needed to lessen human-based stresses and normalize the regional ecology.
The other instance could be the difficulty of introducing modern MSP strategies to Japan. The country managed its water resources via common laws that regulated activities within Japanese shores and periphery areas (Kularathna et al., 2019). However, the sea use employed by local realities is currently segregated and needs sustainable development (Kularathna et al., 2019). Typically, the introduction of MSP strategies is necessary for the prolonged sustainability of the region. However, zoning of Japanese waters might heavily influence numerous production, fishing, and tourist industries due to the restrictive nature of suggested regulations creating a problem for a more complex solution.
In contrast to Japan, MSP strategies are widely used in the US. In 2010, the state of Washington, U.S., passed a law that required MSP for the Washington coast (Smythe & McCann, 2018). The law came about in response to stakeholder concerns about proposed offshore renewable energy developments off the Pacific coast (Smythe & McCann, 2018). However, their efficiency remains in question due to the vastness of negative and positive impacts. It is recognized that the development of secure MSP strategies is a necessity for the future.
Conclusion
The awareness of MSP in the Pacific should be raised via culturally and ethically acceptable methods. For example, Japan recognizes deficiencies in its current sea resource management. However, to induce change, it is necessary to promote local representatives toward change. According to Kularathna et al. (2019), some consider that the example of influential stakeholders’ approval of new integrated management methods may induce change in a culturally supportive way. Thus, close collaboration with main stakeholders in the sea-oceanic industries is necessary to raise awareness.
References
Kularathna, A. H. T. S., Suda, S., Takagi, K., & Tabeta, S. (2019). Evaluation of co-existence options of marine renewable energy projects in Japan. Sustainability, 11(10), 2840. Web.
Loiseau, C., Thiault, L., Devillers, R., & Claudet, J. (2021). Cumulative impact assessments highlight the benefits of integrating land-based management with Marine Spatial Planning. Science of The Total Environment, 787, 147339. Web.
Smythe, T. C., & McCann, J. (2018). Lessons learned in marine governance: Case studies of marine spatial planning practice in the U.S. Marine Policy, 94, 227–237. Web.