FIG PUBLICATION NO. 36
Administering Marine Spaces: International Issues
A publication of FIG Commissions 4 & 7 Working Group 4.3
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Issues in the Governance of Marine Spaces
– Michael Sutherland and Sue Nichols
Marine Administration Research Activities
within Asia and the Pacific Region – Towards a Seamless Land-Sea Interface
– Abbas Rajabifard, Ian Williamson and Andrew Binns
Resolving Spatial Uncertainty in the
Tidal Interface
– Philip Collier and Nathan Daw Quadros
A National Geocentric Datum and the
Administration of Marine Spaces in Malaysia
– Teo CheeHai and Ahmad Fauzi
Governing the North Sea in the
Netherlands
– Michael Barry, Ina Elema and Paul van der Molen
Using Canadian MPAs to Highlight the Need
for Improved Tenure Information Management
– Sam Ng’ang’a
Institutional Frameworks in the
Administration of Coastal and Marine Space in Africa
– Isaac Boateng
Impacts and Management of Oil Spill
Pollution along the Nigerian Coastal Areas
– Peter C. Nwilo and Olusegun T. Badejo
The Douala Coastal Lagoon Complex,
Cameroon: Environmental Issues
– Chebo K. Asangwe
The Protection, Management and
Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of Ghana
– Daniel S. Amlalo
A Note on Marine Administration in Small
Island Developing States (SIDS)
– David Neale
Authors
Orders of the printed copies
The coastal zone is a complex and finely balanced ecosystem contained within
a relatively narrow band of land and sea. Many coastal marine ecosystems are
among the most productive in the world. They provide food and livelihood for
millions of people. Coral reefs are home to more than a million species. Coastal
zones are economically, politically and socially critical to many nations.
Coasts are used by millions of people for recreation. Major transport hubs are
situated in or near the coastal zone where ports and harbours are vital to
commerce and trade.
This narrow band of land and sea occupies only 20 per cent of the world’s
land area. Half the world’s population, some 3,000 million people, live within
200 km of the coast and it is estimated that by 2025 this figure may double. Our
cities use some 75 per cent of the world’s resources and discharge similar
amounts of waste.
It is hardly surprising then that this marine space is under serious threat
from a myriad of overlapping and conflicting interests. The evidence of change
is compelling and manifest. It is therefore imperative to manage, administer and
govern the coastal zone in a considered, sustainable and structured manner; to
protect and nurture the environment we live in. Failure to do so may have
disastrous consequences for future generations.
FIG, through the work of this joint workgroup, has been active in the areas
of Coastal Zone Management, Marine Cadastre and Marine Governance since 2002.
This has included an international workshop, published papers, presentations and
attendance at FIG and other International fora. During this time the workgroup
has encouraged research and discussion on issues related to administering marine
spaces and this publication is the culmination of that work.
The publication comprises a number of papers that focus on issues related to
the administration of marine spaces from regional perspectives. Its purpose is
to stimulate further discussion and research in this most important subject
area. Whilst it is not possible to deal with all issues, it does underscore the
international importance of administering marine spaces.
I would like to thank the authors for their hard work, dedication and passion
in contributing to this publication.
Adam Greenland
Chair of FIG Commission 4 |
Prof. Paul van der Molen
Chair of FIG Commission 7 |
Working Group 4.3 (WG4.3) is a joint working group of the International
Federation of Surveyors (FIG) that since 2002 is concerned with issues related
to marine cadastre, coastal zone management and ocean governance. It is made up
of members from Commission 4 (Hydrography) and Commission 7 (Cadastre and Land
Management). Both Commissions share interests in management and administration
issues related to tenure and property rights, and together cover land, coastal,
and marine environments.
By 2001 it was obvious to those presenting papers at international
conferences and participating in international and regional initiatives that
administering rights in marine spaces was of global interest. This is not
surprising since a significant number of the world’s population lives on or
close to coasts. This global interest generated many academic papers and
international meetings supported by academe, government organizations, and
professional organizations. International professional organizations such as FIG
and regional bodies such as the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for
Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP) witnessed significant increases in activities
related to the administration of marine spaces. This is the environment in which
WG4.3 operated over the past four years and led to the realization of this
publication.
Generally, issues related to the administration of marine spaces may be
categorized as stakeholder issues, technical issues, and legal issues. Many of
these issues are common across international jurisdictions but, obviously, there
are issues peculiar to specific jurisdictions. This publication (Administering
Marine Spaces: International issues) as a product of the FIG, is designed to
give a sample of international issues related to administering marine spaces
since it is improbable that one document can address all issues for every
international jurisdiction.
Authors have contributed papers on topics related to Africa, North America,
Europe, Australia, Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, and small island states
such as the Caribbean. All papers, regardless of focus, present material that
directly or indirectly impact upon the administration of human rights,
responsibilities, and restrictions in marine spaces. The first paper provides an
overview discussion of issues relevant to administering marine spaces while the
other presentations focus on national or regional issues sampled from the
international realm. It is hoped that this publication will edify readers and
stimulate further discussions and research on relevant topics.
Michael Sutherland, Ph.D.
Chair, Working Group 4.3
Commission 4
International Federation of Surveyors
July 2006
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