Ocean governance with data and information management

Abstract

This paper shows the results of studies focusing on interaction between ocean governance and ocean-related data & information. This will include, first of all, the international comparison of the integrated marine information system (clearing house, and Marine Cadastre or Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure: MSDI), marine policy, and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), as an effective decision making tool or process for science-based marine management and governance. This paper also shows the results of study on the needs of ocean survey conducted for emerging countries mainly in the Asia and Pacific region which are trying to expand ocean-related activities and demanding the ocean management or “governance” capabilities. The results showed the great needs for conducting ocean survey as the first step to understand their oceans, as well as the needs for the database management (e.g. integrated marine information system), application (including the interest in Marine Spatial Planning: MSP), and capacity building in marine-related government agencies/research institutions. Upon all these analysis on the dynamics of how the scientific tools (i.e. ocean survey and integrated information system) are linked to the decision making mechanism (i.e. MSP) which could ultimately assist the possible legislation necessary for the ocean administration, this paper illustrates the possible ways to strengthen the “ocean governance” capabilities to manage the sustainable exploitation, development, and conservation of our oceans by the ocean-related data & information management, especially focusing on Japan and Asia and Pacific region.