A core aim of ecosystem-based management is to better address multiple management objectives and sectors. Single objective or single sector management in which agencies address individual objectives separately (e.g., conservation, fisheries, tourism, energy) leads to fractured governance.

Approaches are being developed to address multiple objectives jointly and some of those are illustrated here for fisheries and conservation objectives and hazard mitigation and biodiversity objectives. as well as energy and biodiversity objectives. The aim of these cases is to maximize opportunities that meet both objectives and minimize costs.

Zoning
Zoning is one of the management tools that is likely to expand as we get better at jointly addressing multiple management objectives. One of the best efforts to address multiple objectives has been in the development of the management plan for the Great Barrier Reef where different objectives are met by including zones for different uses as well as additional regulations and permits for multiple uses.

Zoning does not represent a huge change in marine management. Much of the nearshore marine environment has been parceled out in plots to many different users, but not with much forethought as part of a comprehensive plan.