Policy Transfer in Ocean Governance: Australia, Canada and New Zealand

Since it entered into force in 1994, signatories of the Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) have been obligated to demonstrate that they can effectively manage the resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). In 1998, the Australian Government took the first step to fulfil its obligation to LOSC and released Australia's Oceans Policy (AOP), a world first policy initiative focussed on providing a framework for integrated ecosystem based management of Australia's vast marine domain. Both Canadian and New Zealand representatives have been encouraged by the Australian Government to observe, and in some instances, take part in, the AOP development and implementation process. Subsequently, both Canadian and New Zealand governments have developed, or are in the process of developing their own ocean policies indicating that some policy components have been transferred from the AOP process. Key researchers of policy transfer such as Dolowitz (2003); Dolowitz and Marsh (2000); Jones and Newburn (2002); and Evans and Davies (1999) argue that policy transfer processes increase innovation in policy making and allow policy makers, through globalisation and technological advances in communication, to become aware of what other political systems are achieving through policy initiatives. Dolowitz and Marsh (2000: 12) identify eight components of policy that can be transferred. These include policy goals, policy content, policy instruments, policy programs, institutions, ideologies, ideas and attitudes, and negative lessons. Policy transfer has become an important tool for governments as they look for quick solutions to their policy issues. This paper analyses the policy transfer approach and argues that policy transfer is strategically advantageous for states that want to fulfil their domestic and international obligations in ocean governance