Governance profiles and the management of the uses of large marine ecosystems

Interest in the management of the environment and its resources on an ecosy stem basis has been increasing in both terrestrial and marine contexts. The emergence of the concept of large marine ecosystems (LMEs) is one importan t example of this development. LMEs have been examined through five linked modules: (1) productivity of the ecosystem; (2) fish and fisheries; (3) pol lution and ecosystem health; (4) socioeconomic conditions; and (5) governan ce. The first three focus on natural systems, while the last two concentrat e on human interactions with those systems. To date the first three have re ceived the greatest attention but as attention has turned to development an d implementation of management strategies, greater consideration has being given to the human dimension of LMEs represented by the latter two modules. This article focuses on governance, a matter that is of fundamental import ance because it shapes the pattern of human use of the natural environment. Efforts to promote ecosystem-based management occur within different govern ance frameworks; these frameworks and their associated dynamics must be und erstood in the same fashion that the structure and interplay of the element s of the natural ecosystem need to be comprehended. Just as natural science employs baseline studies to gauge change over time, this paper asserts the need for similar studies relevant to governance aspects of ecosystem use. After identifying and describing the roles of three major and generic gover nance institutions, we suggest the development in each LME of a governance profile that outlines and analyzes the existing governance framework. Moreo ver, we propose to consider governance change over time to assess whether s uch shifts represent movement in the direction of greater ecosystem focus.