Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy

The Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy was approved by [Pacific Islands Forum] leaders in 2002. It underscores the importance of the ocean to Pacific Island nations and communities and serves to unify a number of existing regional initiatives that address issues relevant to management and development of ocean and coastal resources and environments.

The Regional Ocean Policy stems from "a regional effort to achieve responsible ocean governance." The vision of the region's leaders, as embodied in the policy, is a "healthy ocean that sustains the livelihoods and aspirations of Pacific Island communities". The Policy's goal is to ensure the future sustainable use of the ocean and its resources by both Pacific Island communities and their external partners. The Policy views the ocean broadly, defining it "to include the waters of the ocean, the living and non-living elements within, the seabed beneath and the ocean-atmosphere and ocean-island interfaces."

More about the Policy, including its full text, can be obtained from the website reference (http://www.spc.int/piocean/forum/New/welcome.htm)