Participatory Ocean Governance in Practice

Abstract

Oceans are comprised of finite marine resources available to the global community. Each of us is not responsible for the oceans, yet the oceans are a collective responsibility of all of us as individuals. We recognize these truisms, yet the execution of joint stewardship responsibilities on oceans is fundamentally challenging and largely insufficient. This essay addresses the characteristics of ocean governance and posits a reduced role of governments, and an enhanced decentralized and authoritative participation of ocean stakeholders and the public toward realizing shared responsibilities for ocean sustainability.