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Articles

Volume 7, Number 2 (2006)

Marine Scientific Research under UNCLOS: a Vital Global Resource?

Submitted
August 13, 2013
Published
2006-06-06

Abstract

This paper provides a general overview of the regime governing Marine Scientific Research (MSR) under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS). The paper focuses on apparent ambiguities resulting from the attempt to balance the interests of coastal states and researching states and it highlights the difficulties encountered in conducting MSR (including hydrographic surveying). Developing effective international criteria and guidelines under UNCLOS to ensure a more effective regime for marine research in the future is proving to be a long drawn-out process, in which States Parties seem only to be taking intermittent interest.