An appeal for a code of conduct for marine conservation

Abstract

Marine conservation actions are promoted to conserve natural values and support human wellbeing. Yet the quality of governance processes and the social consequences of some marine conservation initiatives have been the subject of critique and even human rights complaints. These types of governance and social issues may jeopardize the legitimacy of, support for and long-term effectiveness of marine conservation. Thus, we argue that a clearly articulated and comprehensive set of social standards - a code of conduct - is needed to guide marine conservation. In this paper, we draw on the results of an expert meeting and scoping review to present key principles that might be taken into account in a code of conduct, to propose a draft set of foundational elements for inclusion in a code of conduct, to discuss the benefits and challenges of such a document, and to propose next steps to develop and facilitate the uptake of a broadly applicable code of conduct within the marine conservation community. The objectives of developing such a code of conduct are to promote fair conservation governance and decision-making, socially just conservation actions and outcomes, and accountable conservation practitioners and organizations. The uptake and implementation of a code of conduct would enable marine conservation to be both socially acceptable and ecologically effective, thereby contributing to a truly sustainable ocean.

Publication Type
Journal Article
Authors
Nathan J. Bennett
Lydia Teh
Yoshitaka Ota
Patrick Christie, University of Washington
Adam Ayers
Jon C. Day
Phil Franks
Rebecca L. Gruby
John N. Kittinger
J. Zachary Koehn
Nai‘a Lewis
John Parks, Marine Management Solutions LLC
Marjo Vierros
Tara S. Whitty
Aulani Wilhelm
Kim Wright
Jaime A. Aburto
Elena M. Finkbeiner
Carlos F. Gaymer
Hugh Govan
Noella Gray
Rebecca M. Jarvis
Maery Kaplan-Hallam
Terre Satterfield
Date
Journal
Marine Policy
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