Ocean accounting (OA) and Marine spatial planning (MSP) provide a robust, data-driven approach to managing marine resources, balancing their use with the need to maintain ecological integrity. They provide a foundation for knowledge and data sharing, adaptive ecosystem management, policy development and governance, and stakeholder engagement, all of which are essential for the sustainable use of our oceans.
As we find ourselves well into the Anthropocene, a period where human activities have left a significant mark on Earth's ecosystems, the role of our oceans becomes increasingly crucial. Covering over 71% of our planet, the marine world is more than just a vast blue expanse; it's Earth's lifeblood, functioning as a dynamic source of vital ecosystem services, supporting a wide range of biodiversity, and fostering human lives and economies. However, in this era of swift industrialization and burgeoning population, issues like pollution, overfishing, and climate change pose serious threats to these rich marine ecosystems.
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development, highlighting the urgent need for eective strategies to safeguard our oceans. To achieve the objectives of SDG 14, we need to adopt innovative, data-driven tools like OA and MSP.
Traditionally, the value of oceans has been measured in terms of their contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) - a narrow economic indicator that fails to capture the complete status picture. It neglects natural capital stocks, non-market uses of the ocean, and the impacts of various economic sectors on ocean ecosystems.
In contrast, OA represents a paradigm shift, integrating ocean wealth, natural capital supply and use, the distribution of benefits, and access to decision-making processes. By doing so, OA allows us to better appreciate the true value of oceans, leading to more informed and sustainable decisions about their use and conservation.
MSP is another critical tool in the sustainable management of marine resources. Defined as a "public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives" (Ehler & Douvere, 2008), MSP helps to mitigate environmental pressures, manage conflicts between sectors, and identify ecologically sensitive areas.
OA assesses the economic significance of various activities, such as artisanal and industrial fisheries, while also evaluating the value of ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs and estimating the economic impact of marine-based tourism. With competing interests in fisheries, shipping, and other activities, the risk of overexploitation and environmental degradation is high. MSP oers a cooperative approach to resolving these conflicts, promoting collaboration among governments, industries, and local communities. By designating protected areas for vulnerable marine habitats and species, MSP enhances the region's resilience to climate change and human-induced pressures, ensuring the sustainable and responsible use of the shared marine resources.
“By integrating OA & MSP, we can foster data and information exchange that leads to a comprehensive understanding of the marine environment which would aid the decision-makers in making informed choices about the designation of protected areas, ensuring long-term health and sustainability. Moreover, integrating these approaches promotes a participatory approach to eective ocean governance. ”
Ocean accounting is still a developing field that faces many challenges, such as data gaps, methodological issues, and policy relevance. For example, Ocean accounting aims to go beyond GDP and includes both market and non-market values of marine ecosystems, such as cultural heritage, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. These values are often diicult to quantify though they are essential components of the total value of the oceans.
Ocean accounting also needs to incorporate the spatial and temporal dimensions of ocean systems, as well as the impacts of human activities on the ocean environment, which are again diicult to quantify. It is also challenging to set minimal methodological requirements that everyone can adhere to.
OA relies heavily on robust and up-to-date data, a requirement that is often diicult to meet in the marine biodiversity and ecosystem health domain.
Adoption of international standards like the UN System of National Accounting—the backbone of OA—is not universal. While most countries have adopted these standards, the integration of environmental and economic aspects remains inconsistent.
The capacity to develop and implement OA and MSP varies drastically among nations. Many countries, particularly in the developing world, lack the technical expertise, data availability, and financial resources necessary for eective implementation.
The international waters or the high seas, which constitute much of the ocean, are fraught with legal and jurisdictional complexities, and who holds accountability for these regions in an OA framework remains a contentious issue.
MSP, on the other hand, requires extensive stakeholder engagement and coordination, a process that can be challenging given the diverse interests involved. Further, it needs to account for the dynamic nature of marine ecosystems, which is not an easy task, given the complexities and uncertainties associated with factors such as climate change
Regional bodies, such as regional fishery bodies (e.g., BOBP-IGO), regional seas organization (e.g., SACEP), regional economic organizations (e.g., BIMSTEC), and international organizations like the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank can play pivotal roles in advancing the goals of OA and MSP.
Regional organizations, by virtue of their proximity and intimate understanding of local issues, can foster cooperation among neighbouring countries, help in capacity building, and ensure the eective implementation of OA and MSP. They can also facilitate the exchange of best practices and relevant data across borders. Meanwhile, global entities such as the UN and the World Bank can provide guidance, technical support, and crucial funding to boost OA and MSP initiatives worldwide. They can lead in setting international standards, ensuring consistency in data collection, and advocating for the adoption of these frameworks at a global scale. Additionally, these organizations can oer platforms for dialogue, dispute resolution, and consensus-building, ensuring that the high seas' governance aligns with international laws and global sustainability goals.
In the context of the Bay of Bengal, both OA and MSP play vital roles in managing and preserving marine resources. The Bay of Bengal is a region of immense ecological and economic significance, but it faces formidable challenges due to intense human activities and climate change. OA and MSP, as Siamese twins, oer a comprehensive and data-driven approach to eective ocean governance. By integrating these concepts, decision-makers can make informed choices that balance economic development with environmental protection.
“While OA and MSP face several challenges, they oer promising solutions for the sustainable management of our oceans. Our oceans, the life-sustaining hub of biodiversity and economies, are in our hands. ”
“By utilizing OA and MSP tools, we can steer towards sustainable development, ensuring the health and prosperity of our marine ecosystems for future generations. ”