Chapter 17
The Conservation and Sustainable Use
of the Ocean in Areas Beyond National
Jurisdiction: Where Do We Stand?
Miguel de Serpa Soares
Abstract This chapter discusses recent efforts made at the United Nations to ensure
the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources, particularly those in areas
beyond national jurisdiction. By highlighting the publication of the World Ocean
Assessment I and the ongoing efforts to develop an international legally binding
instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the
conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond
national jurisdiction, the continuous engagement of the international community in
improving the health of oceans while ensuring its productive capacity for the future
is noted. As greater efforts would be needed for States to achieve the targets set out in
Sustainable Development Goal 14, this chapter emphasizes that it would be critical
to continue to raise awareness of the problems facing the oceans to a broader range of
stakeholders.
1 Introduction
There should not be a need to state that oceans are crucial for the existence of
humankind on this planet.
1 Their role in the regulation of the global climate and as a
major sink of carbon dioxide is well known.
2 Moreover, the conservation and
sustainable use of the oceans and seas and their resources is critical to sustainable
The author acknowledges and thanks Mr. Carlos Iván Fuentes, Legal Officer, and Ms. Catherine
Harwood, Associate Legal Officer, at the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea for
their assistance in the research and preparation of this chapter.
1 See e.g. United Nations (2017), pp. 82–83.
2 Id., p. 48.
M. de Serpa Soares (*)
United Nations, Office of Legal Affairs, New York, NY, USA
e-mail: ousgo@un.org
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
M. C. Ribeiro et al. (eds.), Global Challenges and the Law of the Sea,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42671-2_17
321
The Conservation and Sustainable Use
of the Ocean in Areas Beyond National
Jurisdiction: Where Do We Stand?
Miguel de Serpa Soares
Abstract This chapter discusses recent efforts made at the United Nations to ensure
the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources, particularly those in areas
beyond national jurisdiction. By highlighting the publication of the World Ocean
Assessment I and the ongoing efforts to develop an international legally binding
instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the
conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond
national jurisdiction, the continuous engagement of the international community in
improving the health of oceans while ensuring its productive capacity for the future
is noted. As greater efforts would be needed for States to achieve the targets set out in
Sustainable Development Goal 14, this chapter emphasizes that it would be critical
to continue to raise awareness of the problems facing the oceans to a broader range of
stakeholders.
1 Introduction
There should not be a need to state that oceans are crucial for the existence of
humankind on this planet.
1 Their role in the regulation of the global climate and as a
major sink of carbon dioxide is well known.
2 Moreover, the conservation and
sustainable use of the oceans and seas and their resources is critical to sustainable
The author acknowledges and thanks Mr. Carlos Iván Fuentes, Legal Officer, and Ms. Catherine
Harwood, Associate Legal Officer, at the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea for
their assistance in the research and preparation of this chapter.
1 See e.g. United Nations (2017), pp. 82–83.
2 Id., p. 48.
M. de Serpa Soares (*)
United Nations, Office of Legal Affairs, New York, NY, USA
e-mail: ousgo@un.org
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
M. C. Ribeiro et al. (eds.), Global Challenges and the Law of the Sea,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42671-2_17
321