arising as a result of the wide range of institutions is a valid one, but inefficiency and
ineffectiveness can be reduced through cooperation and coordination efforts. Eight,
while numerous measures may be taken at the global level by international institutions, it is the regional initiatives in shared ocean spaces (such as efforts taken by
RSPs and RFMOs) that play a pivotal role in marine environmental protection and
the conservation of marine resources, since they are the ones who implement, apply
and enforce the measures adopted at the international level.
71 Lastly, although
beyond the scope of this study, national arrangements adopted solely in areas within
the jurisdiction of States is potentially the most critical of all. Seeing that a substantial extent of marine environmental harm is caused by land-based sources, terrestrial
and near coast environmental protection measures have a large determining effect on
the health of the oceans.
5 Conclusion
The role of international organizations with respect to the protection of the marine
environment should not be underestimated. As observed by Churchill and Lowe, the
‘recommendations and conventions which they make or initiate, the constant and
detailed surveillance which they exercise over maritime matters, and the reports
which they prepare, all exert a great influence on States’ perceptions of what is
happening in the seas. They mould the formulation of national maritime policies, and
hence State practice and the development of international law’.
72 Further, international organizations also function as an important ‘mechanism for securing international cooperation in the conservation of marine living resources and the regulation
of marine pollution’.
73 In the age of ocean governance where greater emphasis is
being placed on integrated management, as well as the increasing interest in deep sea
exploration and exploitation in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the instances
where international environmental law will mix with traditional law of the sea
obligations will only increase.
74 It is hoped that the institutional framework within
the law of the sea would stand to benefit as a result of this increased interaction
especially in relation to the protection and conservation of the marine environment as
well as ocean governance in general.
71 Franckx (1998), p. 322; Redgwell (2007), p. 923.
72 Churchill and Lowe (1999), p. 24.
73 Tanaka (2015b), p. 53.
74 Rothwell (2007), p. 1023.
54
P. A. Singh
ineffectiveness can be reduced through cooperation and coordination efforts. Eight,
while numerous measures may be taken at the global level by international institutions, it is the regional initiatives in shared ocean spaces (such as efforts taken by
RSPs and RFMOs) that play a pivotal role in marine environmental protection and
the conservation of marine resources, since they are the ones who implement, apply
and enforce the measures adopted at the international level.
71 Lastly, although
beyond the scope of this study, national arrangements adopted solely in areas within
the jurisdiction of States is potentially the most critical of all. Seeing that a substantial extent of marine environmental harm is caused by land-based sources, terrestrial
and near coast environmental protection measures have a large determining effect on
the health of the oceans.
5 Conclusion
The role of international organizations with respect to the protection of the marine
environment should not be underestimated. As observed by Churchill and Lowe, the
‘recommendations and conventions which they make or initiate, the constant and
detailed surveillance which they exercise over maritime matters, and the reports
which they prepare, all exert a great influence on States’ perceptions of what is
happening in the seas. They mould the formulation of national maritime policies, and
hence State practice and the development of international law’.
72 Further, international organizations also function as an important ‘mechanism for securing international cooperation in the conservation of marine living resources and the regulation
of marine pollution’.
73 In the age of ocean governance where greater emphasis is
being placed on integrated management, as well as the increasing interest in deep sea
exploration and exploitation in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the instances
where international environmental law will mix with traditional law of the sea
obligations will only increase.
74 It is hoped that the institutional framework within
the law of the sea would stand to benefit as a result of this increased interaction
especially in relation to the protection and conservation of the marine environment as
well as ocean governance in general.
71 Franckx (1998), p. 322; Redgwell (2007), p. 923.
72 Churchill and Lowe (1999), p. 24.
73 Tanaka (2015b), p. 53.
74 Rothwell (2007), p. 1023.
54
P. A. Singh