University of Tasmania, Australia

Description

Since it came into force in 1994, signatories of the Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) have been obligated to demonstrate that they can effectively manage the resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). In 1998, the Australian Government fulfilled its obligation to LOSC and released Australias Oceans Policy (AOP), a world first policy initiative focussed on providing a framework for integrated ecosystem based management of Australias vast marine domain. Both Canadian and New Zealand government representatives have been encouraged by the Australian Government to observe and in some instances, take part in, the AOP development and implementation process (Vince 2003). Subsequently, both Canadian and New Zealand governments have also developed/are developing their own oceans policies (Canadas Oceans Strategy 2002; and the New Zealand Oceans Policy Draft) and this project examines the degree to which Australian policy goals, content and instruments have been transferred from the AOP process to these other national ocean policy initiatives. Moreover, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the focus of this study as they have similar political systems and marine resource management problems and issues (Cozens 2000).

Key researchers of policy transfer such as Dolowitz (2003); Dolowitz and Marsh (2000); Jones and Newburn (2002); and Evans and Davies (1999) argue that policy transfer processes increase innovation in policy making and allow policy makers, through globalisation and technological advances in communication, to become aware of what other political systems are achieving through policy initiatives. Dolowitz and Marsh (2000: 12) identify eight components of policy that can be transferred. These include policy goals, policy content, policy instruments, policy programs, institutions, ideologies, ideas and attitudes, and negative lessons. Policy transfer has become an important vehicle for governments as they look for quick solutions to their policy issues. This project will research how policy transfer can be an important tool for nation states to use to successfully implement new strategies for ocean governance. This is a pilot project that is being completed over the course of 2005.

Contact: Joanna Vince

Contact: Joanna.Vince@utas.edu.au">Joanna.Vince@utas.edu.au