Does Oceania have the institutional capacity to meet marine spatial protection targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity?

Abstract

The Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape (FPO) catalysed the declaration of large Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (over 250,000 km) in Oceania. The scale of these Pacific Ocean Arcs’ is designed to address biodiversity loss and climate change that threaten crucial ecological and sociological functions. This paper critically examines the institutional capacity in Oceania to meet spatial marine protection targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 (CBD). It scrutinises the regional institutions for oceans governance and national institutional arrangements for the oldest and newest Arcs in Kiribati and Palau. Implementation of credible and functional Arcs depends on enforcing the elimination of extractive activities to produce beneficial reserve effects. To meet the 2020 CBD marine spatial protection target will require support from all institutional members and better integration of coastal community governance.