Ocean zoning
Ocean zoning is a policy approach for environmental resource management in oceanic environments. This, often big picture, approach to ocean management allocates areas for various ocean uses. Types of zones can include areas designated for marine protected areas, aquaculture, various types of fishing, shipping, recreation, mooring/anchoring, and energy production. The process of marine spatial planning can result in ocean zones being legally established.
Benefits of ocean zoning can include reducing conflict between users, safeguarding ecologically important areas, enabling commercial activity to develop with certainty, and supporting international cooperation. A key challenge of ocean zoning is balancing environmental, economic, security, social, and cultural interests in delineation of zone boundaries.
