Australian Concept of Marine Cadastre: APPLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT TO MARINE

I. Introduction
 Brief overview of the ACMC and its purpose
 Importance of sustainable management of the marine environment

Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone, and thank you for joining me today to learn more
about the Australian Concept of Marine Cadastre and how it can be used to support
sustainable management of the marine environment.
The ACMC is a system of marine spatial data that provides a standardized way of describing
and managing marine resources and activities in Australia and other countries around the
world. Its purpose is to help decision-makers and stakeholders better understand the marine
environment and make informed decisions about how to manage it sustainably.
Sustainable management of the marine environment is critical for maintaining the health and
productivity of our oceans, which are essential for supporting life on Earth. As our
understanding of the complexities of the marine environment grows, it is increasingly clear
that we need better tools and approaches to ensure that human activities are managed in a
sustainable way. The ACMC is one such tool, providing a framework for integrated marine
spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, data management, and adaptive management.

In this presentation, we will provide an overview of the ACMC and its purpose, discuss the
importance of sustainable management of the marine environment, and explain how the
ACMC can be used to support sustainable management. we will also provide case study
examples of the application of the ACMC in sustainable marine management and highlight
some of the successes and challenges of this approach.

II. Background on the ACMC

 Definition and key elements of the ACMC
 Overview of how the ACMC is used in Australia and other countries

The Australian Concept of Marine Cadastre (ACMC) is a system of marine spatial data that
provides a standardized way of describing and managing marine resources and activities.
The ACMC includes information on the physical, biological, economic, and social aspects of
the marine environment, as well as data on human activities such as shipping, fishing, and
recreation.

The key elements of the ACMC include:

1. Marine spatial data infrastructure: A collection of data sets, standards, and tools for
organizing and sharing marine data.
2. Marine cadastre: A digital map or inventory of marine areas and resources, used to
manage and plan the use of marine space.
3. Marine spatial planning: A process for allocating and regulating the use of marine
space in a way that balances competing demands and minimizes conflict.
4. Stakeholder engagement: A process for involving stakeholders, including industry,
government, Indigenous groups, and the public, in the management of marine
resources and activities.
 5. Adaptive management: A process for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of
management measures and adjusting them as needed to achieve desired outcomes.

The ACMC has also been adopted by other countries, including the United States,
Canada, and New Zealand, as a tool for managing marine resources and activities. Each
country has adapted the ACMC to meet its specific needs and regulatory frameworks, but the
underlying principles and data standards remain the same. The use of the ACMC is growing
globally as more countries recognize the importance of sustainable marine management and
the need for standardized marine spatial data.

III. Benefits of the ACMC for sustainable marine management

 Framework for decision-making
 Facilitating stakeholder collaboration
 Improving access to information
 Examples of how the ACMC has been used to support sustainable management of
marine resources

The ACMC provides a range of benefits for sustainable management of the marine
environment. These include:
1. A framework for decision-making: The ACMC provides a framework for decision-
making by integrating and analyzing spatial information on marine resources,
activities, and infrastructure. This can help decision-makers understand the potential
impacts of different management scenarios on the marine environment and make
informed decisions that balance competing interests.
2. Facilitates stakeholder collaboration: The ACMC provides a common platform for
stakeholders, including government agencies, industry, Indigenous groups, and the
public, to engage in the management of marine resources and activities. This helps to
build trust and collaboration, and can lead to more effective and equitable
management outcomes. In short, this can help facilitate stakeholder collaboration,
improve transparency and accountability, and promote more inclusive and
participatory decision-making processes.
3. Improves access to information: The ACMC provides a comprehensive and up-to-
date inventory of marine resources and activities, which helps decision-makers and
stakeholders to better understand the marine environment and make informed
decisions. It also provides a standardized way of sharing data and information, which
helps to avoid duplication of effort and ensures that everyone is working with the same
information.
4. Enables adaptive management: The ACMC provides a framework for monitoring
and evaluating the effectiveness of management measures and making adjustments
as needed. This enables managers to respond to new information or changing
circumstances, and to adapt management approaches to achieve desired outcomes.
5. Supports sustainable development: The ACMC helps to ensure that marine
resources and activities are managed in a sustainable way, by providing a framework
for balancing competing demands and minimizing conflict. This can help to promote
sustainable economic development and protect the marine environment for future
generations.
1. Examples of how the ACMC has been used to support sustainable management of
marine resources
2. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: The ACMC has been used to manage and
protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, one of the largest marine protected areas
in the world. The ACMC provides a standardized way of mapping and describing the
various activities and resources in the park, which helps managers to make informed
decisions about how to manage the park sustainably. For example, the ACMC has
been used to identify areas of the park that are important for biodiversity and to
manage activities such as fishing, shipping, and tourism to minimize their impacts on
the marine environment.

3. Marine spatial planning: The ACMC has been used in marine spatial planning
efforts, which involve the identification and allocation of space for different uses in the
marine environment. For example, the ACMC has been used in the development of
marine spatial plans in Western Australia, which aim to balance the competing
demands of different industries and stakeholders while minimizing impacts on the
marine environment.

4. Indigenous marine management: The ACMC has been used in the development of
Indigenous-led marine management plans, which aim to incorporate Indigenous
knowledge and values into the management of marine resources. For example, the
ACMC has been used in the development of a marine spatial plan for the Northern
Territory coast of Australia, which was led by Indigenous communities and aimed to
balance the use of marine resources with the protection of cultural values and
ecological sustainability.
 (Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia)
- The ACMC was used to map and
describe the various resources and
activities in the area, including important
cultural sites, fishing grounds, shipping
lanes, and potential areas for
development.

5. Aquaculture management: The ACMC has been used to manage and regulate
aquaculture activities, such as fish and shellfish farming. For example, the ACMC has
been used in the development of a national aquaculture spatial plan in Australia, which
aimed to identify areas suitable for aquaculture development while minimizing impacts
on the marine environment.

- Aquaculture in Western Australia

Another example: - German Bight

Map of Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) areas in the German EEZ of the North Sea, numbered, coloured per
depth level and framed per status.

IV. How the ACMC can be applied to support sustainable marine management
 Integrated marine spatial planning
 Stakeholder engagement
 Data management and accessibility
 Adaptive management

A. Integrated marine spatial planning

 The ACMC can be used to develop integrated marine spatial plans, which take into
account multiple uses of the marine environment while protecting ecological and
cultural values.
 These plans provide a framework for sustainable management of the marine
environment, by identifying areas where certain activities are more appropriate or less
appropriate based on factors such as ecological sensitivity and cultural significance.
 Integrated marine spatial planning promotes sustainable outcomes by balancing
competing uses of the marine environment and ensuring that all stakeholders have
access to the same information.
B. Stakeholder engagement
 The ACMC can be used to facilitate stakeholder engagement, by providing a common
language and standardized way of describing the marine environment.
 This enables all stakeholders to contribute to the management of the marine
environment and ensures that decisions are made based on the best available
information.
 Effective stakeholder engagement is essential for promoting sustainable outcomes
and ensuring that the management of the marine environment is inclusive and
equitable.
C. Data management and accessibility
 The ACMC can be used to improve data management and accessibility, by providing a
standardized way of organizing and presenting information about the marine
environment.
 This enables all stakeholders to access and use the same information, which
promotes transparency and accountability in decision-making.
 Effective data management and accessibility are essential for promoting sustainable
outcomes, as they enable decision-makers to base their decisions on the best
available information.
D. Adaptive management
 The ACMC can be used to support adaptive management, which involves regularly
reviewing and updating management strategies based on new information or changing
circumstances.
 This approach enables managers to respond to new challenges or emerging issues,
and to continuously improve the effectiveness of management strategies.
 Adaptive management is essential for promoting sustainable outcomes, as it enables
managers to respond to changes in the marine environment and ensure that
management strategies remain effective over time.

V. Case study examples

 Examples from Australia or other countries where the ACMC has been used to support
sustainable management of marine resources
 Notable successes or challenges

1. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) The GBRMP is a World Heritage Site
and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The ACMC has been used to
support the development of marine spatial plans for the GBRMP, which aim to manage
competing uses and interests in the region. This has involved identifying areas of high
conservation value, setting aside no-take zones, and managing activities such as
fishing and shipping. The ACMC has also been used to support the implementation of
the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, which aims to improve the health and
resilience of the GBRMP.
2. The South-West Marine Region (SWMR) The SWMR is a large and diverse marine
 environment off the coast of Western Australia. The ACMC has been used to support
the development of marine spatial plans for the SWMR, which aim to balance
competing uses and interests in the region. This has involved identifying areas of high
conservation value, setting aside no-take zones, and managing activities such as
fishing and mining. The ACMC has also been used to support the implementation of
the SWMR Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network, which aims to protect and
conserve the marine biodiversity of the region.
3. The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) The CTI is a multilateral partnership between six
countries in the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at promoting the conservation and
sustainable management of marine resources. The ACMC has been used to support
the development of marine spatial plans for the CTI, which aim to manage competing
uses and interests in the region. This has involved identifying areas of high
conservation value, setting aside no-take zones, and managing activities such as
fishing and tourism.

Notable successes of these case studies include the identification and protection of
important marine habitats and species, the management of competing uses and interests in
the marine environment, and the promotion of sustainable development and livelihoods.
Challenges have included the need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder
engagement, and the need for continued funding and political support.

VI. Conclusion
 Recap of key points
 Importance of continuing to improve sustainable management of the marine environment
 Future opportunities for the application of the ACMC in sustainable marine management

In conclusion, we have seen that the Australian Concept of Marine Cadastre (ACMC)
provides a valuable framework for supporting sustainable management of marine resources.
By providing a standardized approach to data management, stakeholder engagement, and
decision-making, the ACMC has helped to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of marine
resource management efforts in Australia and beyond. While there are certainly challenges to
implementing the ACMC and promoting sustainable marine management more broadly, the
case studies we have explored today demonstrate the potential for this approach to yield
positive outcomes. Moving forward, it is important that we continue to prioritize the
sustainable management of our marine environment and explore new opportunities for
applying the ACMC in this context.