Application of Biological Studies to Governance and Management of the Deep Sea
Summary: The deep sea remains a frontier of biological exploration and characterization through mapping and sampling. Increasing access to and exploitation of deep-sea resources, combined with developing layers of governance and management, place us at a crossroads where dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders (scientists, industry, policy-makers) can lead to responsible and effective practices. We consider management approaches and outline a process for developing biological sampling programmes in the deep sea that delivers what a manager (or policy-maker) needs and a scientist desires. Using three case studies, we show (i) how scientists and industry can work together at a baseline project level and (ii) with managers at a national policy level, and (iii) we illustrate the interface process between scientists and policy-makers at an international level. We review key enabling functions of effective stakeholder interfaces and conclude with a reminder that biological studies underpin effective governance and management of the deep seas. Governance and management must operate on an evolving knowledge basis, embrace risk, uncertainty, indeterminacy, ambiguity and ignorance. There must also be cooperation, cross-fertilization, joint learning and sharing of best knowledge and practices across issues, areas, scales and sectors for effective management and policy.
