Have you ever wondered what a sustainable ocean economy should have in common with a doughnut? If not, this is the report for you.

The global ocean is under unprecedented stress, its resources overexploited and its waters accumulating our waste at a time that the unfolding climate emergency is driving ecosystem changes that we are only beginning to understand. Meanwhile, the drive for economic growth is putting increasing demand on ocean space and resources.

Ocean managers must develop ocean economies that provide people around the globe with a fair share of ocean resources while allowing the ocean ecosystem to recover and thrive. This report outlines a vision for a sustainable ocean economy that is based on the idea of “doughnut economics” by Kate Raworth (2017), and presents a thorough review of literature on ecosystem-based and integrated ocean management approaches that can help achieve this vision.

The purpose is to provide anyone with an interest or professional role in ocean management with a structured overview of a multifaceted set of overlapping and mutually reinforcing concepts, tools and management approaches, ranging from strategic goal setting in sustainable development to ecosystem-based management, integrated ocean and coastal management, marine spatial planning and marine protected areas. 

Tags: oceans ocean management ecosystem development