Law of the sea and marine pollution | Oceanography | Principle Of Geography

 

Oceanography

Principle Of Geography

Geography Complete Study Material

(Paper - I)

Law of the Sea and Marine Pollution

Law of the Sea

             The Law of Sea is a collection of international treaties and agreements that regulates all marine and maritime activities. It encourages a peaceful relationship between the sea and the coastal states. As one of the main topics of international law, it conducts all maritime economic activities, maintains navigation rules and protects the sea from ruling powers. It regulates the geographical activities of various coastal states and plays a role in conserving the aquatic environment. The Law of the Sea is associated with the convention on the Law of Sea, which is an UN-based international treaty. It was signed in 1982 by 117 states, and was adopted in 1994.

• It divides marine areas into five main zones namely- Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the High Seas.
• UNCLOS is the only international convention which stipulates a framework for state jurisdiction in maritime spaces. It provides a different legal status to different maritime zones.
• It provides the backbone for offshore governance by coastal states and those navigating the oceans. It not only zones coastal states’ offshore areas but also provides specific guidance for states’ rights and responsibilities in the five concentric zones.

Marine Pollution         

              Oceans are the largest water bodies on the planet Earth. Over the last few decades, excessive human activities have severely affected marine life on the Earth’s oceans. Ocean pollution, also known as marine pollution, is the spreading of harmful substances such as oil, plastic, industrial and agricultural waste, and chemical particles into the ocean. Since oceans provide the home to a wide variety of marine animals and plants, it is the responsibility of every citizen to play his or her part in making these oceans clean so that marine species can thrive for a longer period of time.