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.