Process-oriented/procedural dimension analysis
The analysis of the process/procedure-based dimension of equity revealed
that the factors most addressed were input to decision-making; access to
decision-making processes; and the quality of decision-making processes.
A variety of groups were recognised to have restricted access and input
to decision-making processes including minority groups, small scale
fishers, women, people from diverse ethnicities, and nation states
themselves. Collaboration and inclusivity in decision-making frameworks
were proposed as a means by which to increase participation by such
groups. For example, ‘Oceans and society’ proposed participatory
governance to decentralise power, moving it away from private
corporations; ‘Deep aspirations’ proposed that international
collaborative governance interventions may enable input from Indigenous
and traditional peoples; and ‘Ocean governance’ proposed the creation of
reflexive, balanced, transparent and inclusive decision-making
frameworks to address disenfranchised groups. ‘Sharing our oceans
fairly’ noted that in international treaty negotiations, there should be
an extensive consultation process to ensure the inclusion of the global
communities’ interests.
Regarding quality of decision-making processes, the papers often
recognised that everyone in society was likely to be affected by the
changed discussed. Transparency, consultation, and knowledge sharing
were viewed as the key requirements to improve quality of
decision-making and equity of process. ‘Warming world, changing oceans’
suggested that ethical principles should be used to determine when
incentives or regulation is used, and for whom. ‘Ocean governance’
suggested a pathway action of transparent consultation processes led by
accountable authorities.