Abstract

This inductive research sheds light on the nature of the political ecology of offshore extractives as well as the symptomatic expenses borne by small-scale ocean users and the integrity of marine ecosystems. A literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies and theories on the social construction of the ocean, world systems theory, social performance requirements in offshore extractives, and broad economic drivers of inequality. Thematic analysis was then employed to examine the qualitative data collected from the literature review. Phenomena identified from primary, secondary, and gray sources were integrated into a supportive theoretical work regarding oceanic spatial allocation from the world’s core states. It was found that the asymmetrical nature of marine tenure in offshore extractives in part contributes to leaving the world’s 60 million artisanal ocean users and the most biologically productive portions of periphery and semi-periphery state waters subject to appropriation, often in favor of core states.