5. Conclusion
In this paper, we have argued that ocean governance currently faces three core risks: 1) the impacts of the overexploitation of marine resources, 2) inequitable distribution of access to and benefits from marine ecosystem services; and 3) inadequate or inappropriate adaptation to changing ocean conditions. Various processes will challenge the governance of these risks and agency is key to progressing towards a more sustainable future. This is significant as current knowledge on oceans governance and the role of agency, as we have shown, can provide us with many examples of how we can move towards a more sustainable future. This means we can start to address this now. One way in which to start to address this would be for example to invest in place-based management based on assessments which integrate social, cultural and local knowledge, needs and beliefs and scientific understanding. Furthermore, it is important to increase cooperation among scientists, industry, society, politicians, and indigenous and first nations knowledge holders. These actions might be impacted by disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, however, at this point, it is impossible to describe the extent of the impact. Overall improving governance of the oceans to achieve a more sustainable future – a better future than we can expect under business as usual conditions – is both a challenge and a crucial opportunity for the coming decade.