100% SUSTAINABLE OCEAN MANAGEMENT

An Introduction to Sustainable Ocean Plans

About the Ocean Panel

Established in 2018, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) is a unique initiative made up of serving world leaders who are building momentum for a sustainable ocean economy in which effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity go hand in hand. By working collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders, the Ocean Panel aims to identify bold solutions that bridge ocean health, wealth and equity and accelerate and scale responsive action worldwide.

About This Guide

This work has been commissioned by the Ocean Panel as a contribution to the headline commitment made in 2020 to sustainably manage 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction, guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans, by 2025, and in support of other ocean and coastal states joining the commitment to sustainably manage their areas under national jurisdictions by 2030. Note that countries joining the Ocean Panel effort after 2020 may commit to develop and be guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans within five years of joining, with the aim of sustainably managing 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction. The guide elaborates on the ‘who, what, when, where, why and how’ of Sustainable Ocean Plans. It also suggests initial steps for getting started on, or for accelerating, sustainable ocean planning. The guide is the result of consultation within the Ocean Panel and was prepared with experts from the Ocean Panel Expert Group and beyond, under coordination of the Ocean Panel Secretariat, based at World Resources Institute. A full list of the authors, experts and organisations that contributed to this guide is provided in the Acknowledgments section.

This guide elaborates on Sustainable Ocean Plans by answering the following questions:

1. Why develop a Sustainable Ocean Plan?
2. What are the attributes and useful components of a Sustainable Ocean Plan?
3. How does one follow progress on sustainable ocean planning?
4. How does a country finance sustainable ocean planning?
5. What are some examples of sustainable ocean planning?
6. What are some suggested next steps?

Where relevant, this guide points readers to available resources and tools.