Development of resource jurisdiction in the EC's regional seas: National EEZ policies of EC member states in the northeast atlantic, the mediterranean sea, and the baltic sea

Abstract

Abstract this article examines the legal regimes of resource jurisdiction in three regional seas: the northeast atlantic, the mediterranean sea, and the baltic sea. Special emphasis is given to the roles and attitudes of ec member states bordering these regional seas. It is submitted that the legal regimes of these different states have been influenced by actions on the regional level. Insofar as the northeast atlantic is concerned, the establishment of exclusive fisheries zones (efzs), has had a centripetal effect on general regional cooperation. This phenomenon is confirmed by the contemporary discussions, especially in the north sea area, on a concerted establishment of exclusive economic zones (eezs) for environmental purposes. This development is in contrast to the mediterranean, where virtually no eezs have been proclaimed. The article deals with the background of this development and concludes that in addition to navigational interests and delimitation problems, fishing interests of different medit...