Marine Spatial Planning for a Blue Economy

Report Release:

INITIAL PERSPECTIVES FROM FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE IN DEVELOPING AN AUSTRALIAN MSP FRAMEWORK

In order to develop an Australian Marine Spatial Planning Framework, the project team over many months, reached out and engaged with First Nations custodians and representatives of Sea Country and the marine estate.

Guided by an Indigenous Engagement Advisory Committee and facilitated by an Indigenous-led consultancy we developed and implemented an Indigenous Engagement Strategy and facilitated workshops in various locations that could capture different views and issues regarding the development and management of Sea Country.

This report summarises and highlights the various issues and views of First Nations people that were shared with us during our First Nations engagements including issues of importance with managing Sea Country, what could be done better, a vision for Sea Country in 20 years and how governments and other stakeholders can engage and work with First Nations people to care for, and manage, Sea Country.

“This report summarises and highlights the various issues and views of First Nations people that were shared with us during our online and in person engagements around Australia in 2024. The responses highlighted a variety of issues that need to be addressed in developing a marine spatial planning framework. The project team intends for this report to be a living document. We welcome further feedback from those that have been engaged in the process as well as those who have read the report and would like to be heard.” Ainsley Leaning, MSP team member, Griffith University.

Draft Guiding Principles for an Australian MSP Framework: Developing a unified, whole of marine estate approach for Australia.

The Marine Spatial Planning project team have released the ‘Draft Guiding Principles for an Australian MSP Framework’ report. This report represents the first step in developing a unified, whole of marine estate approach specifically for Australia.

It has been developed through a collaborative process with Australia’s First Nations people, established and emerging ocean industries, commonwealth, state, territory and local government agencies, non-government organisations, and researchers. The report identifies five principles for an integrated marine planning scheme that support the aspirations, and needs recognised by our collaborators.

Project Lead Prof Chris Frid states,

“Both existing industries and new entrants to the Blue Economy have expressed concerns about access to appropriate sites. They have frequently noted the lack of an integrated process to make informed, evidence based, decisions around site allocations. This adds a significant risk for proponents and complicates licencing/permitting. Many nations (around 125 at the last count) use a marine spatial planning process to support decision making, promote engagement and reduce conflict.”

“This report details the results of extensive consultations with First Nations communities, industry, NGOs, national peak bodies and government agencies. We heard strong support for a holistic, and integrated process and strong alignment around 5 core principles a marine spatial planning process for Australia should embody. The project team are sharing these views to gauge wider views as preparation to the development of operational process that could implement the approach.”

“The results of the project suggest that a robust MSP process could support investment and development of the Blue Economy and support collaborative, inter-sector, approaches delivery of Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan.”

The Marine Spatial Planning project has released two milestone reports as part of the delivery of this project.

1. Evaluation of potential for interaction and/or conflict among ocean users and the environment in offshore waters in Australia
2. Identifying synergies and trade-offs between sectors in the Blue Economy Zone

Report Release:

DRAFT GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR AN AUSTRALIAN MSP FRAMEWORK

This document represents the first step in developing a unified, whole of marine estate, approach specifically for Australia.

This approach has been developed levering off international exemplars of marine spatial planning (MSP frameworks), principes and best practise as advocated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of United Nations Environment (IOC-UNESCO) and the European Commission, and existing integrated approaches used in Australia. It has been developed through a collaborative process with Australia’s First Nations people, established and emerging ocean industries, commonwealth, state, territory and local government agencies, non-government organisations, and researchers.

“This report details the results of extensive consultations with First Nations communities, industry, NGOs, national peak bodies and government agencies. We heard strong support for a holistic, and integrated process and strong alignment around 5 core principles a marine spatial planning process for Australia should embody. The project team are sharing these views to gauge wider views as preparation to the development of operational process that could implement the approach.”

“The results of the project suggest that a robust MSP process could support investment and development of the Blue Economy and support collaborative, inter-sector, approaches delivery of Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan.”  Prof Chris Frid, Project Lead

Draft Guiding Principles for an Australian MSP Framework: Developing a unified, whole of marine estate approach for Australia.

The Marine Spatial Planning project team have released the ‘Draft Guiding Principles for an Australian MSP Framework’ report. This report represents the first step in developing a unified, whole of marine estate approach specifically for Australia.

It has been developed through a collaborative process with Australia’s First Nations people, established and emerging ocean industries, commonwealth, state, territory and local government agencies, non-government organisations, and researchers. The report identifies five principles for an integrated marine planning scheme that support the aspirations, and needs recognised by our collaborators.

Project Lead Prof Chris Frid states,

“Both existing industries and new entrants to the Blue Economy have expressed concerns about access to appropriate sites. They have frequently noted the lack of an integrated process to make informed, evidence based, decisions around site allocations. This adds a significant risk for proponents and complicates licencing/permitting. Many nations (around 125 at the last count) use a marine spatial planning process to support decision making, promote engagement and reduce conflict.”

“This report details the results of extensive consultations with First Nations communities, industry, NGOs, national peak bodies and government agencies. We heard strong support for a holistic, and integrated process and strong alignment around 5 core principles a marine spatial planning process for Australia should embody. The project team are sharing these views to gauge wider views as preparation to the development of operational process that could implement the approach.”

“The results of the project suggest that a robust MSP process could support investment and development of the Blue Economy and support collaborative, inter-sector, approaches delivery of Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan.”

The Marine Spatial Planning project has released two milestone reports as part of the delivery of this project.

1. Evaluation of potential for interaction and/or conflict among ocean users and the environment in offshore waters in Australia
2. Identifying synergies and trade-offs between sectors in the Blue Economy Zone

The Marine Spatial Planning for a Sustainable Blue Economy project released Supporting Papers in March 2024. Marine Spatial Planning offers countries an operational framework to maintain the value of their marine biodiversity while at the same time allowing sustainable use of the economic potential of their oceans. The comprehensive supporting papers cover the common approaches to MSP – both nationally and internationally, integration with Indigenous Peoples and the context in Australia’s Marine Estate.

The Marine Spatial Planning for a sustainable Blue Economy project is on track to identify a draft framework for Marine Spatial Planning by Spring 2023. The project has engaged with 106 external stakeholders through focus groups, the project Advisory Committee and one-on-one meetings to understand the needs of government, industry and organisations who are interested in the management of Australia’s marine estate.

Engagement with Indigenous Australians is also gaining traction with the establishment of an Indigenous Governance Committee (IGC) tasked with identifying an appropriate mechanism to engage with Indigenous Australians to understand their views on an integrated management approach for the marine estate including recognition and respect of sea country.

Research on understanding the international approach for MSP has continued. Conversations with the Commonwealth Government’s Oceans Office has continued to ensure the emerging MSP framework is consistent with and can support Australia’s sustainability goals and national Sustainable Oceans Plan. The second phase of stakeholder focus groups will be carried out in late March. The conversations during these sessions are anticipated to provide the foundations for the MSP framework.