Unclos and the modern law of the sea

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Since the 1960s a new framework of international law has been developed under the auspices of the United Nations. This defines “Exclusive Economic Zones”, “Continental Shelf Regimes”, “Archipelagic Waters” and other areas in which the traditional “freedoms of the seas” are restricted. The tendency is to limit the “freedoms of the seas” traditionally enjoyed by the maritime powers in favour of the interests of other coastal states, but much uncertainty still surrounds both the definition and the enforcement of these new legal rights. RESUME. Depuis les annees 60, un nouveau cadre juridique international a ete developpe sous l'egide des Nations Unies. Il definit les « zones economiques exclusives », les « regimes du plateau continental », les « eaux archipelagiques » et autres zones dans lesquelles la traditionnelle « liberte des mers » est restreinte. Visant principalement a limiter la « liberte des mers » dont jouissent generalement les puissances maritimes au profit d'autres Etats cotiers, il demeure neanmoins beaucoup d'incertitudes quant a la definition et la mise en application de ces nouveaux droits juridiques. The law of the sea provides the legal framework for managing the 71% of the earth's surface covered by water. The modern law of the sea is derived from the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS) and other international instruments; the custom and practice of states; the judgments of international courts and tribunals; and the opinions of eminent international jurists. It may be either the “hard law” of binding international treaties, or the “soft law” of non-binding guidelines or codes of conduct. The law of the sea is the part of public international law that deals with human uses of the oceans and seas of the world, exploiting their resources and preserving their utility for future generations. It covers regimes for navigation, fishing, offshore mining, marine scientific research, the laying of cables and pipelines, sea dumping, resolving maritime disputes and the preservation and protection of the marine environment. A particularly important aspect is the extent and nature of the jurisdiction and sovereignty exercised by coastal states over their adjacent waters. The law of the sea has evolved over the years in response to changing political circumstances, demands posed by new and wider uses of the sea, technological developments and increasing concern for the health of the world's oceans and their living resources.