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Centre for Coastal and Ocean Governance
The Centre for Coastal and Oceans Governance (CCOG) is the focus for marine policy research at SAMS and coordinates a number of initiatives. CCOG coordinates the Marine Policy Forum and will be influential in how marine policy is developed at SAMS. We are particularly interested in improving the integration of marine science and policy on a national and international level.
CCOG is the node for developing policy orientated social science research at SAMS. We are actively developing research in the following areas:
1. Governance of the Oceans and Coasts: This node pursues research into policy processes and reforms to ocean and coastal management at local to international levels. Emphasis is placed on the notion of governance which analyses the relationships between social actors (e.g. government, the market, and communities) and the outcomes for sustainable marine environments. Our specialisations are: development of ICZM in Scotland, the development and implications of marine bills and integrated policies at the national level, and the dynamics of non-state governance.
2. Regional focus on the Arctic: This node links with SAMS Arctic research programmes. We aim to deliver globally relevant research that contributes to understanding and mitigating the significant socio-economic changes and pressures in the Arctic that are driven by climate change and increasing industrial and maritime activity in the region.
3. Effectiveness of environmental policy instruments: This node analyses the effectives of existing and emerging policy instruments as a means of implementing marine policy and regulation. Our specialisations are: eco-labelling and certification in fisheries and aquaculture, the development of market based approaches, marine sustainability indicators, strategic EIA and marine spatial planning.
4. Sector based studies. This node explores the social, political and economic dynamics of specific maritime sectors at a national level. Areas of interest include fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy and regional marine economies.
5. Theoretical development of social science methods applied to marine systems: This node contributes to methodological and academic development that cuts across the above nodes. Specialisations include: science and policy integration, the analysis of power and governance, qualitative research methods and action research.
Projects
CCOG is currently active in the following research projects
- Effectiveness of Eco-labelling and Certification in improving the Sustainability of Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources
- Science and Policy Integration for Coastal System Assessment
- Sound of Mull Economic Study
Staff
Ms Averil Wilson
Miss Ruth Brennan
Collaborations
CCOG is actively collaborating with the following institutions in developing research and policy partnerships. The following is a list of present and past collaborations:
- The Policy Web, UHI Millennium Institute
- Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong Australia
- Polar Regions Unit, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Development Concepts and Doctrine Centre, MoD
- Akvaplan-niva, Polar Centre, Tromso, Norway
- School of Government, University of Tasmania, Australia
- Urban Research Centre, University of Western Sydney, Australia
- Argyll and Bute Council - Marine & Coastal Development Unit
- Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative
Contact
If you are interested in collaborating in marine policy research, discussing opportunities, or obtaining comment on
marine policy issues, please contact the CCOG coordinator, Dr Tavis Potts.
Dr Tavis Potts
Scottish Association for Marine Science
Centre for Coastal and Ocean Governance
Oban
Argyll PA37 1QA, UK
T: +44 (0)1631 559 415