About this book:

*Marine Law and Policy: Governance of the High Seas and Coastal Zones* provides a comprehensive examination of the legal and institutional frameworks governing human interaction with the ocean. Centered on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the text details the spatial architecture of maritime jurisdictions—ranging from internal waters and territorial seas to the Exclusive Economic Zone and the high seas. It explores how these boundaries balance the sovereign rights of coastal states with the traditional freedoms of the international community, such as navigation, scientific research, and submarine cable maintenance.

The book delves into sectoral management challenges, specifically focusing on fisheries governance, the regulation of deep-seabed mining through the International Seabed Authority, and the jurisdictional triad of flag, port, and coastal state controls. It addresses the persistent threat of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, emphasizing the role of compliance technologies like satellite monitoring and eDNA. Furthermore, it highlights the transition toward ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning as essential tools for reconciling economic development—often termed the "Blue Economy"—with the imperative of environmental conservation.

A significant portion of the text is dedicated to emerging legal frontiers and the evolution of international stewardship. This includes an analysis of the new High Seas Treaty regarding Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the integration of social equity for Indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers. The book also confronts the destabilizing effects of climate change, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise, noting how these phenomena challenge static legal baselines and necessitate more adaptive, resilient governance structures to manage shifting biological and geographical realities.

Ultimately, the work emphasizes that effective ocean governance requires a move away from fragmented, sectoral silos toward integrated, transparent, and participatory models. By utilizing comparative case studies of maritime boundary disputes and policy implementation, the book illustrates the practical complexities of applying international law in a dynamic environment. It concludes by advocating for a future-oriented approach to marine policy that leverages technological innovation and international cooperation to safeguard the ocean as a common heritage for future generations.