Enabling ecosystem-based management in Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine law and policy

Aotearoa New Zealand’s large coastal marine environment is of immense economic, cultural, social, and ecological value. But our marine resources, environments, species, and communities face serious threats because of cumulative, competing human uses and the impacts of climate change and ocean warming.

Research shows ecosystem-based marine management (EBM) could halt this decline and help restore the marine ecosystem. But to do EBM well, we must improve the integration, coordination, and efficiency of our marine law and policy.