Shared seabed stewardship principles of Oceania

Recent escalations in seabed activity have spurred Pacific stakeholders to consider a regional approach to deep-sea governance. As the region looks to strengthen a collective seabed approach, this study offers insight into what may be a critical foundation for cooperation: shared principles of seabed stewardship. It finds a rich and robust set of seabed stewardship principles shared among stakeholders of the region, broadly categorised across eight themes: Heritage and Connection; Justice; Ecosystem Health; Development; Geopolitical Management; Knowledge; Coordination and Cooperation; and Governance. Agreement on shared principles in a Pacific Seabed Stewardship Statement could provide an early step towards a regional seabed approach grounded in mutual understanding, accountability and an ethic of care

Accountability · Environmental stewardship · Foundation (evidence · Geopolitics · Seabed · Stewardship (theology · Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies · International Maritime Law Issues · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies