The Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs), as a type of area-based management tool, plays an important role in protecting the marine environment and marine ecosystems from the threats posed by international shipping activities. China has large areas that could be applied as PSSAs. However, there are potential problems in the application process, especially in terms of proposal applications and the implementation of routing measures. These problems include the lack of a coordinating body for applications, disputes over the application area, restrictions on relevant protective measures, and changes in the content and procedures of the application. In terms of implementation, these include the lack of domestic legislation on alignment measures, the lack of a clear implementation entity, the imperfect enforcement system, and the lack of technical support. Subsequently, through the analysis of the successful experience of existing particularly sensitive sea areas, solutions to the problems in the application of particularly sensitive sea areas in China are proposed. These solutions include establishing communication mechanisms with neighboring countries, carefully selecting the application area, improving domestic legislation on alignment measures, improving the law enforcement system, and improving law enforcement technology. These targeted recommendations will clear the way for the application of particularly sensitive sea areas in China.
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