Ocean Zoning

'As the title of this book rightly asserts, ocean zoning is an important tool for making marine management more effective. In this comprehensive and practical compilation, Tundi Agardy explores ocean zoning as one of the central components of marine spatial planning, explaining what ocean zoning is and how it has been applied, drawing upon a number of detailed examples from around the world.'-Jon Day Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia

'In view of the relentlessly increasing human dependencies on ocean resources and ecosystem services, governments are moving to improve ocean management and governance through ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning. Ocean zoning is a critical tool for this effort. Drawing on global case studies, Tundi Agardy, a pioneering and experienced practitioner, provides a unique, timely and accessible perspective on the challenges of ocean zoning and its potential benefits.'-John C. Ogden, Professor of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, USA

'Looking out on an ailing world ocean, Tundi Agardy is a visionary in the marine planning field with a new way of thinking about the ocean. Her book draws on examples from around the world and outlines the big picture approach needed to help avert marine resource conflicts now and in the future.'-Erich Hoyt, WDCS (the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society)

Our knowledge of the oceans is increasing rapidly, as more powerful tools for exploration and exploitation make it easier to locate valuable resources, such as fish stocks, oil and gas reserves, or sites for wind and hydropower schemes. At the same time competition for space has intensified, affecting marine life and people's livelihoods. Much has been written about marine management using marine protected areas, but MPAs are only a small subset of spatial management tools available. MPAs and MPA networks are better seen as starting points for more comprehensive spatial management, facilitated by ocean zoning. This logical scaling up from discrete piecemeal protected areas to larger and more systematic planning is happening around the world, but few are aware that we are entering a brave new world in ocean management with zoning at its core.

This book provides guidance on using ocean zoning to improve marine management. It reviews the benefits of ocean zoning in theory, reviews progress made in zoning around the world through a wide range of case studies, and derives lessons learned to recommend a process by which future zoning can be maximally effective and efficient.