Australia’s ocean economy is rapidly growing. Growth in emerging ocean sectors such as offshore energy and aquaculture offers huge potential to support Australia’s transition to renewable energy sources. It also supports ocean-based solutions to climate change. Australia’s ocean economy relies on the long-term health and resilience of the ocean.
The State of Environment Report 2021 highlighted that our ocean is facing multiple significant pressures. It is critical we ensure our ocean remains healthy and productive. We need to sustain our growing ocean economy, support communities and Traditional Custodians of Sea Country.
A national Sustainable Ocean Plan provides the opportunity to consider how Australia manages the ocean in the future. We will work collaboratively across governments, industry and public interests. This will help identify a new ocean vision to guide our collective efforts.
Delivering a long-term vision
A national Sustainable Ocean Plan for Australia will identify a long-term vision for our ocean. It will create a roadmap of the policies and programs needed to deliver that vision.
The plan will be developed in collaboration with:
- state and territory governments
- First Nations peoples
- marine sectors and industries
- other ocean stakeholders.
The plan will cover all waters in Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. This is from the coastline out to 200 nautical miles, excluding Antarctic waters.
Development of the Plan will begin in 2023, with implementation from 2024.
High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
The Ocean Panel is a unique global initiative which has significant goals to transition to a sustainable ocean economy. Its main focus is a healthy ocean. This will then support opportunities in the ocean economy.
The Ocean Panel globally represents 44% of exclusive economic zones and 50% of coastlines.
The Panel is supported by its members including the Prime Minister. All members have committed to sustainably manage 100% of the ocean area within national jurisdiction by 2025. This will be guided by a Sustainable Ocean Plan.
Contact us
For more information contact: sustainableoceanplan@dcceew.gov.au