This project addresses the significant need identified in the NARP to review agility of conservation governance and management. The likely effects of human-induced climate change on marine biodiversity raise questions about adaptive capacity of current governance and management systems and their ability to support the resilience of marine biota. Governance directly influences whether resilience is undermined, preserved or strengthened (McCook et al. 2007). As noted in a 2009 House of Representatives Standing Committee report: “Given the projected severe impacts on the coastal zone from climate change … and the urgent need for adaptation strategies and resilience building, any hesitation in addressing the issues concerning governance arrangements for the coastal zone could have severe consequences”.

Furthermore, the “cornerstone of future success is an adaptive governance structure in which ecosystem management understanding is operationalized in day-to-day activities” (Barnes & McFadden 2008, p. 391). These conclusions point to a need for coherent and adaptive systems of marine biodiversity governance, planning and management. By providing understandings and strategies for this ‘future success’, we will answer the following high and medium priority NARP questions:

1. How should conservation managers and planners adapt their practices to ameliorate climate change risks and enhance adaptation?

2. What intervention strategies addressing nature conservation outcomes will increase system resilience?

3. How will governance for the conservation of marine biodiversity need to change to adapt to climate change impacts?

4. What are the barriers to implementing adaptation and effective policy responses?

The project will engage with conservation planning instituted under the National Oceans Policy, examining institutional governance, decision-making processes and types of instruments being deployed. Our research also addresses priorities established in state strategies – in NSW for example, the discussion paper on a new biodiversity strategy identified a need to refine adaptation planning and integrated management of marine reserves.