New technologies contribute to the increasingly intensive exploration and exploitation of marine biological and mineral resources. Safeguarding the ocean's resources for present and future generations is an essential condition for sustainable development and requires a holistic approach, as no one discipline in itself can provide a solution in an era of rapid legal, economic and technological development. This unique work, bringing together contributions by renowned scientific and legal experts, analyses these new technologies, their impact on the marine environment and the current and possible future responses of international environmental law and law of the sea. New technologies, particularly those which are likely to provide an important part of the world's future food supply, have a significant impact on the environment, human health and natural resources. The first part of the book looks at technological advances in the areas of fishing, aquaculture, deep sea hydrothermal vents and mineral resources, and the significant challenges these present for national and international rule-makers. The second part of the work charts new trends in the protection of the marine environment, particularly in the establishment of marine protected areas. While recognising that most environmental problems require a global approach, it emphasises the importance of international regional co-operation. The final part concerns the application of new legal concepts to the conservation of marine resources, including sustainable development, the precautionary principle, the common heritage of mankind and the common concern of humanity. This book is based on the revised and updated papers presented at the Conference on New Technologies and Law of the Marine Environment organised in Lisbon for World EXPO 1998 by the European Council of Environmental Law. It will be of great interest to lawyers researching or practising in environmental law and law of the sea, and to environmental scientists.

Marine Scientific Research, New Marine Technologies and the Law of the Sea offers expert insights into new legal developments covering marine scientific research (MSR) including marine genetic resources regime development and emerging marine technologies including floating nuclear power plants.

Autonomous vessels and robotics, artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity are transforming international shipping and naval operations. Likewise, blockchain offers new efficiencies for compliance with international shipping records, while renewable energy from currents and waves and offshore nuclear power stations open opportunities for new sources of power within and from the sea. These and other emerging technologies pose a challenge for the governance framework of the law of the sea, which is adapting to accommodate the accelerating rates of global change. This volume examines how the latest technological advances and marine sciences are reshaping the interpretation and application of the law of the sea. The authors explore the legality of new concepts for military operations on the continental shelf, suggest remote sensing methodologies for delimitation of maritime boundaries, and offer a legal roadmap for ensuring maritime cyber security.

Science, Technology, and New Challenges to Ocean Law offers fresh perspectives on a set of vital issues in the field of ocean law and policy. Since the early period of the industrial revolution, successive waves of revolutionary scientific discoveries and technological innovations have intensified the global population’s exploitation of ocean and coastal resources. In this volume, several leading authorities in the field address major dimensions of the interface of science, technology and ocean law—both historically and in current-day perspective—and emergent challenges in legal ordering of ocean uses for sustainability and equitability. Among the topics that are analysed in these readable, accessible papers are ecosystem approaches to resource management, the historic interplay of science and military concerns, the place of science in dispute-settlement processes, the varied human uses of the seabed, the roles in ocean governance of indigenous peoples, legal issues in fisheries management and conservation, and special regional problems of the Arctic, the Bering Strait, the South China Sea, and the eastern Mediterranean. The urgent importance of the subjects addressed here, together with the variety of disciplinary approaches deployed by the authors, enhance the value of this book’s unique contribution to the literature of ocean studies.

This wholly new edition of the Handbook provides an authoritative examination of international law relating to the protection of the marine environment. Chapters critically engage with current legal issues surrounding activities that harm the marine environment, including marine pollution, seabed activities, exploitation of marine biodiversity and climate change, and with the different legal tools and mechanisms, including environmental impact assessments and compliance and dispute settlement mechanisms, used to protect the marine environment. New chapters also address legal issues relating to the role of technology and marine scientific research as well as the application of principles such as public participation. This title contains one or more Open Access chapters.