Enhancing Pacific Ocean Governance Evaluation Report

2018
Department of the Environment and Energy
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An evaluation of EPOG was conducted in 2017. The evaluation assessed the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the project. Overall, the evaluation found that the EPOG project was successful and that it largely met its stated outcomes.

  • All elements of the project—regional ocean governance, maritime boundaries, marine spatial planning and data management—were, and continue to be, highly relevant to Pacific intergovernmental agencies and Pacific Island countries.
  • Regional leadership and coordination of oceans policy was strengthened through investment in the provision of technical support and the establishment of the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner.
  • Pacific Island countries agreed and established a number of maritime boundaries in accordance with international law over the course of EPOG and there is a Pacific-wide commitment to continuing to prioritise this important work.
  • At regional, national and local levels, the project increased capacity for marine spatial planning to better manage marine resources. Regional agencies now have a cost-effective platform for sharing data.

Many of EPOG’s initiatives require ongoing investment to achieve sustained outcomes. The investments made through EPOG have increased the Pacific region’s capacity and provided the impetus for a continuing body of work aimed at sustainable management of ocean and marine resources. Australia is continuing to support regional ocean governance initiatives and maritime boundary delimitation through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pacific Regional Aid Program.

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