Articles tagged with Maritime Law
A new set of international rules is necessary to protect the health of fishing stocks, according to a study. The current World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has shortcomings that need to be addressed, and a range of different rules should be established to complement existing international law.
Industrial-scale illegal fishing accounts for 8-15% of global marine wild capture, with impacts unevenly distributed globally. Eliminating harmful subsidies and strengthening enforcement are key to addressing the issue.
The interim update to the State of the World's Migratory Species report warns that 49% of migratory species populations are declining, with 24% facing extinction, due to habitat loss and overexploitation. The report highlights the need for coordinated international action to address these threats and protect migratory species.
The International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 will focus on advancing actionable solutions to strengthen submarine telecommunication cable resilience. The event aims to accelerate cable repairs, improve risk mitigation and enhance regulatory frameworks.
Research from the University of Kansas finds that cuts in sulfur emissions from oceangoing vessels have led to a reduction in lightning stroke density along heavily trafficked shipping routes in the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea. The drop in sulfates from ships can cause fewer cloud condensation nuclei, resulting in weaker convecti...
A new study reveals that increased scrutiny of domestic fishing fleets at ports could help deter illegal fishing. The Port State Measures Agreement, which requires foreign vessels to undergo inspections when landing their fish in a country, has led to more vessels traveling longer distances to reach ports within countries that have rat...
A new study found that as more countries adopted the internationally binding Port State Measures Agreement, foreign fishing vessels needed to travel twice as far to reach a non-PSMA country. Meanwhile, domestic vessels' share of port visits globally rose from 31% in 2016 to 46% in 2021.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets robust targets for protecting marine biodiversity, addressing its complexity and variability. By focusing on key indicators such as species distribution, genetic diversity, and ecosystem structure, policymakers can track changes and implement effective conservation measures.
A Brazilian study maps the direct and indirect impacts of marine resource-dependent economic activities, revealing strong connections between coastal and inland regions. The research highlights the importance of the blue economy in Brazil's GDP and employment, with regional specializations varying across states.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that regulatory firms may underperform due to ingroup bias, favoring domestic clients over foreign ones. However, inspectors' professionalism reduces this bias, leading to more uniform enforcement of regulations across entities.
A study by Osaka University researchers found that Japanese liberals are more sensitive to collective ownership threats than conservatives. The study suggests that this sensitivity may deter countries from engaging in activities that infringe on the territorial integrity of others.
Research finds seaports facilitate the spread of MtrBTN2, a rare contagious cancer in mussels, through biofouling. The disease is threatening coastal ecosystems and argues in favor of mitigation policies to stem its spread.
Researchers from the University of Bergen found that offshore wind farms can reduce downstream wind resources by up to 20% within 50km due to wake effects. This poses significant regulatory challenges for large-scale offshore wind development, particularly in international waters.
A new study finds public backing for biofuel and hydrogen as alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the global shipping industry. The research suggests that nuclear power is also a viable option, while ammonia has the least public support due to its perceived risks.
The IMO's current climate targets are insufficient to address the industry's growing CO2 emissions, which now account for 3% of global emissions. The organization lacks the political instruments and resources needed to implement more ambitious goals.
Researchers warn that climate change will increase uncertainty in international law governing maritime zones, affecting small island states. Technologies like GPS and satellite bathmetry may help solidify claims, but more data is needed to accurately delineate existing boundaries.
Climate change is causing rapid warming in the Arctic Ocean, which may lead to shorter, more eco-friendly maritime trade routes. This could reduce the shipping industry's carbon footprint and weaken Russia's control over trade routes through the Arctic. New trade routes could also increase global shipping infrastructure resilience.
A University of Rhode Island researcher analyzed data and proposed solutions to improve passenger safety in future pandemics. She suggests clarifying international maritime laws and customs to ensure flag states have a larger role in responding to disease outbreaks.
The Law of the Sea Convention permits researchers to track migratory marine animals using bio-logging techniques without advance permission from coastal nations. This allows for essential conservation data to be collected remotely, but can take too long to obtain consent for some nations' waters.
A new test for cyanobacteria toxins in freshwater systems could simplify testing, but results show the survival probability of female northern right whales is declining. The model suggests that preventing two female deaths per year could prevent extinction by 2202, with only about 300 northern right whales remaining.
The Oceanography Society honors John Knauss, former dean of the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, for his groundbreaking work on fellowship programs and oceanographic education. The journal issue features articles on topics that interest Knauss, including the Law of the Sea and current research in the Pacific.