MALAYSIA is a maritime nation strategically located in the middle of international shipping routes linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
It is a coastal state surrounded by substantial bodies of water.
Malaysia is also rich in marine resources. Some are sources of food and nutrition essential to support coastal communities.
Therefore, Malaysia needs to intensify efforts to utilise these advantages optimally and sustainably to become a superior maritime nation.
But, it may be asserted that the government lacks an inclusive strategy and a specialised framework to oversee ocean activities.
The current sectoral management has resulted in several disputes, including jurisdictional overlap and fragmented legal provisions.
The coordination of ocean and coastal resources is critical for striking a balance between the demand to maintain development and economic activities, and the need to protect the environment.
This, however, cannot be accomplished without centralised management.
The establishment of a national ocean policy (NOP) should be the foundation of comprehensive ocean governance as we enter the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development earlier this year. Thus, we should devise strategies to achieve this goal.
In 2011, Malaysia drafted an NOP through the National Oceanographic Directorate of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry, as a foundation for future strategies and action plans for ocean and coastal resource management.
The NOP framework is guided by 12 principles: the right to develop; equitable and inclusive; ecosystem approach; integrated and holistic; respect for culture and indigenous heritage; public participation; beneficiary/polluter pay; precautionary approach; international cooperation and coordination; informed decision-making; sustainable development; and, conservation of biological biodiversity.
These principles are supported by four goals and objective: understanding; conserve and restore ocean environment; support sustainable economic growth and opportunities; practise good ocean governance; and, achieve participatory, responsible and sustainable development for islands and coasts.
The NOP will be the main reference for decision-makers, sector agencies and non-governmental policy implementers to address issues and coordinate initiatives towards an agreed vision, as outlined in five strategic thrusts and key actions: productive ocean economy; healthy ocean environment; talent base first world marines; good ocean governance; and, ocean data, science, technology and innovation.
The policy framework also includes a number of proposals for bridging the gap for the long-term use of marine ecosystems. Among them are a sustainable ocean economy that encourages public-private partnerships; transforming ocean and coastal based industries; strengthening knowledge in marine science and technology to drive innovation-led growth; and, a national ocean data management strategy for data standardisation.
After 10 years, the vision, aims, and objectives remain relevant, with the exception of new international, regional and national policies and plans established in recent years.
Accordingly, transformative steps need to be taken by redeveloping an adaptive and dynamic NOP to address current ocean conflicts. Strategic plans, as indicated in the NOP draft, should be examined and implemented alongside appropriate institutional and legislative changes.
The government, its agencies and stakeholders, need to work together to address this challenge so that the country does not lag.
It is prudent to revisit, update, and revise the NOP in light of the enormous economic impact on the environment and economy.
The NOP should also take into account existing ocean law enforcement aimed at protecting vulnerable resources and ecosystems from pollution. Additionally, a top-down management method must be used to coordinate the ministries and organisations involved.
The recommended approaches, such as ecosystem-based management, ecosystem approach to fisheries management, co-management, marine spatial planning, and integrated coastal zone management, have been promoted and remain the benchmark in ocean resource management.
The ministries involved can then take the next steps towards the approval of the draft into national policy by holding high-level engagements with stakeholders and presentations to key committees.
An NOP is critical for assuring governance feasibility in managing more inclusive marine use structures for equitable benefits while also meeting the requirement to manage, conserve and preserve the marine environment.
Dr Nor Aieni is a distinguished research fellow at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, while Dr Izyan is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, UMT
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times