ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the rationales for and pathways toward effective regional ocean governance. It argues that the fundamental imperative for regional approaches is to strengthen ecosystem approaches to ocean assessment and management, including social and economic dimensions. The chapter provides background and context for evolving ocean regionalization more generally and ruminations over future directions and opportunities. Scientific and technical information exchanged within a region can advance ocean knowledge generally. Two major factors bear on the role and evolution of regional agreements: changing jurisdictional boundaries and growing ecological knowledge. As marine research continues to find linkages between regions and with areas beyond national jurisdiction in the distribution and movements of marine species and habitat, this poses new challenges for regional agreements. The fundamental rationales and benefits of regional initiatives in ocean governance have not changed. Nor have the comparative advantages of regional and global bodies.
