Protecting The Oceans From Land Based Activities

In 2002 the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), as the Secretariat of the GPA, published a Handbook on the Development and Implementation of National Programs of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (the NPA Handbook). It provides guidance for environmental managers and policy makers on how to implement the GPA in their own countries. Since its release many lessons have been learned and related policy developments gained importance; reason for this updated and expanded version. In this revision it is stressed that, to be successful, institutional, financial, legislative, social, and technical barriers should be taken very serious while planning concrete action. The handbook calls for realistic, step-by-step implementation of priorities within a cross-sectoral, participatory framework, through a flexible and iterative process.--Publisher's description.

The oceans cover more than seventy per cent of the surface of the planet and they provide many vital ecosystem services. However, the health of the world's oceans has been deteriorating over the past decades and the protection of the marine environment has emerged as one of the most pressing legal and political challenges for the international community. An effective solution depends upon the cooperation of all states towards achieving agreed objectives. This book provides a critical assessment of the role that international law plays in this process, by explaining and evaluating the various legal instruments that have been negotiated in this area, as well as key trends in global ocean governance. Starting with a detailed analysis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the book considers the main treaties and other legal texts that seeks to prevent, reduce, and control damage to the marine environment caused by navigation, seabed exploitation, fishing, dumping, and land-based activities, as well as emerging pressures such as ocean noise and climate change. The book demonstrates how international institutions have expanded their mandates to address a broader range of marine environmental issues, beyond basic problems of pollution control to include the conservation of marine biological diversity and an ecosystems approach to regulation. It also discusses the development of diverse regulatory tools to address anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment and the extent to which states have adopted a precautionary approach in different maritime sectors. Whilst many advances have been made in these matters, this book highlights the need for greater coordination between international institutions, as well as the desirability of developing stronger enforcement mechanisms for international environmental rules.

This handbook is the first of its kind to provide a clear, accessible, and comprehensive introduction to the most important scientific and management topics in marine environmental protection. Leading experts discuss the latest perspectives and best practices in the field with a particular focus on the functioning of marine ecosystems, natural processes, and anthropogenic pressures. The book familiarizes readers with the intricacies and challenges of managing coasts and oceans more sustainably, and guides them through the maze of concepts and strategies, laws and policies, and the various actors that define our ability to manage marine activities. Providing valuable thematic insights into marine management to inspire thoughtful application and further study, it is essential reading for marine environmental scientists, policy-makers, lawyers, practitioners and anyone interested in the field.

The new edition of this essential text offers a comprehensive, critical and future-thinking commentary on international environmental law.

Canada's National Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (NPA) is a partnership between federal, provincial and territorial governments aimed at addressing the interface between fresh and salt waters, river basins and coastal environments to prevent marine pollution from land-based activities and to protect habitat in coastal zones of Canada. NPA focusses on addressing problems within 14 categories under 2 broad themes: contaminants; and physical alteration and destruction of habitat. This document describes each of the NPA categories and provides examples of ongoing actions.

The protection of the marine environment is an important challenge for the international community. Harrison critically assesses the role of international law, highlighting key developments in treaties and legal rules, but also pointing to the need for greater coordination and stronger enforcement mechanisms

For those who operate on, under and over the sea, international law can sometimes be as complex as it is important. Written by the same former seagoing officer and maritime law professional who authored the current edition of Farwell’s Rules of the Nautical Road , this book was designed to bring clarity and context to international law for the seagoing professional. Following an introduction to public international law and a short history of the law of the sea, the book describes the rules that apply in ports and in the adjacent maritime zones, including the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, archipelagic waters and the high seas. A highlight of the book are the chapters that focus on the subjects of greatest interest to the seagoing professional, including military and intelligence activities in the maritime domain, maritime law enforcement activities and the use of force at sea. The appendices include the text of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Whether an academy cadet, a midshipman, a seasoned commanding officer, or a master mariner, readers of this thorough and timely book will be rewarded with a far greater understanding of the international laws that govern ships and mariners at sea.