Environmental Assessment in Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Practice and Prospects

2017 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 252-255
Author(s):  
Robin Warner
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Marine Areas

Knowledge of the threats posed to the oceans by human activity has expanded beyond marine pollution to encompass recognition of the risks posed to vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) by overfishing, destructive fisheries practices, and invasive exploitation of living and nonliving marine resources. However, with the still-developing state of marine scientific research, the majority of activities at sea continue to occur with limited knowledge of their impacts on the marine environment. In this climate of uncertainty, environmental assessment assumes heightened importance. While governance structures will generally exist to facilitate environmental assessment in marine areas within national jurisdiction, these structures are still developing for marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

scholarly journals Oceans beyond Boundaries: Environmental Assessment Frameworks

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Warner
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Strategic Environmental Assessment ◽  
Customary International Law ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Marine Areas

Abstract The obligation to conduct environmental impact assessment (EIA) of activities with the potential for significant impact on the marine environment within and beyond national jurisdiction has attained customary international law status. The related but broader process of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is also applied to plans, policies and programmes with the potential for significant impact on the marine environment in many national jurisdictions and in a transboundary context. The application of EIA and SEA for activities with the potential for significant impact on marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) has been much more ad hoc. This commentary reviews the initiatives being taken by the international community to develop a more comprehensive legal and institutional framework for EIA and SEA of activities affecting ABNJ. It examines the role of sectoral environmental assessment in ABNJ, as well as the potential role of global guidelines for EIA and SEA of activities affecting ABNJ.

Pollutants and Contaminants

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. D. Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Residence Times ◽  
Artificial Radionuclides ◽  
Pollution Events

Marine pollution events have most often been identified by a catastrophe as opposed to rational scientific deduction. Herein I examine three instances where alterations to the marine environment may result in a loss of resources, either public health or the structure of marine ecosystems: the entry of biostimulants leading to eutrophication; the entry of artificial radionuclides; and the entry of plastics. The introduced materials are increasing in flux, have long residence times, and have known impacts upon living systems.

Oceans of Opportunity and Challenge

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-175
Author(s):  
Robin Warner
Keyword(s):  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Ocean Governance ◽  
Preparatory Committee ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Marine Areas

Marine areas beyond national jurisdiction cover approximately forty percent of the planet’s surface. They host abundant marine biodiversity, which is under increasing pressure from activities such as fisheries and shipping as well as multiple sources of marine pollution and climate change impacts. The process initiated by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 69/292 to develop the elements of an international legally binding treaty (ILBI) for conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) has the potential to contribute to a more integrated and cross sectoral system of oceans governance at a global and regional scale. This article reviews the outcome of the Preparatory Committee meetings on the ILBI including areas of convergence and divergence among the negotiating parties. As the process enters the inter-governmental conference phase, it also examines how the anticipated ILBI might enhance existing ocean governance frameworks.

scholarly journals The Importance of Regulating Plastic Marine Pollution for the Protection of Indonesian Marine Environment

Yuridika ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Ulya Yasmine Prisandani ◽  
Adzhana Luthfia Amanda
Keyword(s):  
Marine Environment ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
International Conventions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Proper Analysis

The ocean and its marine resources play an important role in providing sources of livelihood to the Indonesian people. Indonesia is currently dealing with a major plastic waste problem, and this, in turn, also impacts the marine environment since the plastic waste ends up in the ocean. The issue of marine pollution is regulated under international conventions such as the MARPOL and UNCLOS, though none is specifically addressing marine plastic waste. Moreover, Indonesia has enacted several regulations to manage marine plastic waste, including Presidential Regulation Number 83 of 2018 on Marine Waste Management, and Indonesian citizens have taken an active role in reducing plastic waste. However, stricter and more specific regulations are needed as guidelines for the long-term strategy in handling marine plastic pollution in Indonesia, and proper analysis on the impact of such regulation towards the stakeholders and affected parties would be needed. 

The legal framework for resource management in the deep sea

2020 ◽  
pp. 53-70
Author(s):  
Aline Jaeckel ◽  
Kristina Gjerde ◽  
Duncan Currie
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Ocean Governance ◽  
Marine Governance ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Domestic Law

The deep oceans and their protection, management, research, and resources are governed by a range of legal instruments. This chapter sets out the relevant legal framework for the deep oceans and discusses the role of scientists in ocean governance. The chapter introduces the law’s spatial zoning approach to marine governance and considers the role of coastal states in managing marine spaces and resources through domestic law. The chapter then offers a discussion of the international legal framework for deep-sea fishing, marine pollution, deep-sea mining, and marine scientific research, before analysing current gaps in the law relating to marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, as well as ocean fertilisation.

9. Prevention of Marine Pollution

2021 ◽  
pp. 503-570
Author(s):  
Alan Boyle ◽  
Catherine Redgwell
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Law ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Legal Regime ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
Disposal Area ◽  
Common Space

This chapter focuses on threats of pollution to the health of the marine environment. It focuses in particular on marine pollution. The oceans constitute a large expanse of common space. The oceans have been freely used for maritime commerce, exploitation of living resources, extraction of oil and gas, and as a disposal area for waste products for centuries. The law needs to protect marine ecosystems as much as any others on land. Climate change has now begun to harm marine ecosystems and international law needs to consider this. The chapter aims to demonstrate the extent to which an international legal regime for the control of marine pollution from ships has developed since 1972, and the degree to which it has proved effective. The big question is: how can it be made more effective in the future?

Exploring Antimicrobials from the Flora and Fauna of Marine: Opportunities and Limitations

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnamoorthy Venkateskumar ◽  
Subramani Parasuraman ◽  
Leow Y. Chuen ◽  
Veerasamy Ravichandran ◽  
Subramani Balamurgan
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
Living Space ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
Health Organization

About 95% of earth living space lies deep below the ocean’s surface and it harbors extraordinary diversity of marine organisms. Marine biodiversity is an exceptional reservoir of natural products, bioactive compounds, nutraceuticals and other potential compounds of commercial value. Timeline for the development of the drug from a plant, synthetic and other alternative sources is too lengthy. Exploration of the marine environment for potential bioactive compounds has gained focus and huge opportunity lies ahead for the exploration of such vast resources in the ocean. Further, the evolution of superbugs with increasing resistance to the currently available drugs is alarming and it needs coordinated efforts to resolve them. World Health Organization recommends the need and necessity to develop effective bioactive compounds to combat problems associated with antimicrobial resistance. Based on these factors, it is imperative to shift the focus towards the marine environment for potential bioactive compounds that could be utilized to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Current research trends also indicate the huge strides in research involving marine environment for drug discovery. The objective of this review article is to provide an overview of marine resources, recently reported research from marine resources, challenges, future research prospects in the marine environment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document