Conclusion to Governing Oceans

This edited collection started from an argument that the problems of implementing an agenda for the protection and safe use of the oceans arises because of a lack of governance rather than a lack of law (or agreements). Throughout this volume each author has sought to address a particular aspect of current challenges of implementation, but also to offer insights into places and processes where we do see effective practices. Similarly, the authors have identified mechanisms through which implementation might be improved. This concluding chapter seeks to bring all these contributions together and enable a response to the research question of this volume. What type of political space are the oceans? Is a coherent framework for oceans governance possible? In responding to this question, I argue that multiple, overlapping frameworks remain not only possible but that we can see they are regionally or nationally being realised. However, the goal of a coherent global framework remains elusive, partly because of the type of political space the oceans are, but also as a result of emerging geopolitical competition that will reinforce the dynamics that have aided successes and failures of regionally achieved frameworks.