Reimagining ocean governance through an ethic of care lens

Developing a theoretical framework for applying an ethic of care to ocean governance, shifting the paradigm from exploitation to reciprocity.

Project summary

Marine biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, yet global efforts increasingly focus on industrialising the ocean through the 'blue economy.' This project will develop a theoretical framework for applying an ethic of care to ocean governance, shifting the paradigm from exploitation to reciprocity. Drawing on international environmental law, ecofeminism, posthumanism, and marine ecology, the research will rethink concepts of human and non-human agency in governing the future ocean and lay the groundwork for transforming real-world governance processes.

What are we interested in?

Current governance structures are underpinned by a paradigm of exploitation that cannot fully realise the global goal of 'living in harmony with nature' as set out by the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The goals of our project

To examine the principles underpinning the existing model of ocean governance and contrast these with principles of care, with special attention paid to rethinking human and non-human agency in ocean governance; and to develop a grant application that will enable us to build a theoretical framework applying an ethic of care to ocean governance and to operationalise this framework through real-world case studies of deep sea mining, marine carbon dioxide removal, and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions Agreement.

Outcomes / activities

Develop a scholarly output, grant application and a supportive commentary piece for broader communication and engagement.