The subject of governing oceanic systems and coastlines is moving into the center of European strategic and sustainability interests. Yet, it suffers from a high degree of fragmentation and the lack of a cross-scalar approach to addressing prevailing policy shortcomings. The COST Action “Ocean Governance for Sustainability - Challenges, Options and the Role of Science - OceanGov” comprises a vision, and a series of approaches that informs research and future policy directions on crosscutting sustainability-driven issues related to the fragmented governance framework of oceans, seas and coastlines within regional- and open ocean-waters, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The conference therefore aims at conceptualizing ‘Ocean Governance for Sustainability’ by looking at the realities and practices of ocean governance in the following six thematic fields: • Land-Sea Interactions • Area-based Management • Seabed Resource Management • Nutrition Security and Food Systems • Ocean Climate and Acidification • Fisheries Governance In addition, the here to be found ocean governance practices, as well as their underlying structures and discourses, will form the empirical basis for a conceptual panel on theoretically grounded discourses in relation to ocean and coastal governance crosscutting diverse conceptual approaches such as Interactive Governance Theory, Evolutionary Governance Theory, together with Social-Ecological Systems analyses. The conference will end with a policy-level podium discussion with the aim of further advancing policy-practice considerations on Ocean Governance for Sustainability within the context of European Union policy-making. The public panel will comprise representatives spanning the EU Commission, national-level policy making, and civil society. |