Fisheries and Oceans Governance in Australia and Canada: from Sectoral Management to Integration?

Australia and Canada have significant oceans domains, and concomitant responsibility for large maritime zones. Fisheries in both countries are important activities with capture fishing, aquaculture and associated processing being vital rural industries Australia and Canada both face major challenges affecting fisheries management. These challenges include managing multiple and at times conflicting uses and claims on ocean and marine resources, while also recognizing the complexity and profound uncertainty associated with those resources. In that context, and having regard to the different histories of Australia and Canada, this paper outlines the different strategies and emphases adopted recently by the two countries. These policies have been developed by both countries as part of their attempts to implement, nationally and regionally, the international understandings and covenants relating to responsible governance of oceans and marine resources.