PROTECTING THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE (EEZ) FROM HUMAN ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Protecting the states' interests, achieving the balance between exploring and exploiting the resources of the International Seabed Area (the Area) from one side, and protection of environment and human life from the other side are the most important goals which should be the consideration particularly when it comes to usage of the “International Seabed Area”. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) may soon face many enormous environmental challenges related to the Area's activities, especially in front of the modern technological development and increasing state interest in the Area's resources. In the current situation, the EEZ environment needs more protection. It establishes a new protection system that can be acceptable by all the States and provide natural protection to the EEZ from the activities carried out in the designated Area. The Area Mining system shows that the resources need more protection by decreasing the activities and controlling some kinds of the activities, for example the activities related to the exploitation of oil and gas, and making these last kinds of activities far from the EEZ. Establishing the Protection Area as a buffer zone between the EEZ and the Area will provide two kinds of protection to the EZZ environment and reduce the boundaries disputes amongst the continental shelf and the Area. This Area should be subject to the new system and different rules. Consequently, it is thought that one of the main issues confronting the states is the formation of this new territory.