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Week 11: International Ocean Law & Policy

Published onMay 11, 2022
Week 11: International Ocean Law & Policy
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17 May 2022

Overview

Ocean law and policy are critical to understand to carry out oceanographic work within other countries’ maritime jurisdiction and, increasingly, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This week, we will review maritime jurisdictions to understand roles and responsibilities within the different areas, as well as discuss the process by which scientists obtain authorization to conduct work in other countries’ waters. We will also discuss effective international collaborative research strategies and how they can lead to policy-relevant outcomes. Finally, we will discuss ongoing negotiations for a forthcoming high-seas treaty and its implications for high-seas research.

Goals

  • Understand maritime jurisdictions and what can and cannot be done within different jurisdictions

  • Understand the process for applying for Marine Scientific Research authorization in another country’s EEZ

  • Learn about effective international collaborative research strategies and how they can lead to policy-relevant outcomes

  • Become familiar with the ongoing negotiations for a new high-seas treaty and understand the pros and cons of such a treaty

Pre-Class Activities

  • Complete the application for consent to conduct Marine Scientific Research table in your Fellow Project:

Determine if your project is within an area of national jurisdiction of a country that is not your own. Here are some resources that can help:

Is your Dream Cruise in the EEZ of another country? Or beyond national jurisdiction (high seas)?


If it is in an EEZ, which country?

If it is not in an EEZ, or if it is located in your own country, choose another country to research:


Read the UN Standard Form A: Application for consent to conduct Marine Scientific Research (pp 49-65 of this document). 

Are there any sections that you do not feel equipped to answer? Which ones?


Find the country you are researching on this list: Guidance on Supporting Documentation

Are there any special permitting requirements for the country you are researching? If so, what are they? 


Are there any special reporting requirements for the country you are researching? If so, what are they?


If you are not a US citizen, which agency in your home country handles Marine Scientific Research clearance authorizations? 


Did anything surprise you about this exercise? Or did you find anything particularly interesting? If so, what?


Class Plan & Materials

  • Hour 1: Maritime Jurisdictions & Marine Scientific Research

    • 5 min: Welcome, check-in

    • 20 min: Marine Scientific Research Authorizations, Amanda Williams and Gabriella David, US Department of State

    • 30 min: Q&A discussion

      • Come prepared with a question based on the assignment

    • 5 min: Break

  • Hour 2: Sample Permitting & Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

    • 10 min: International Collaborative Research, Lisa Levin, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

    • 20 min: Q&A

    • 10 min: Negotiations for a New High-Seas Treaty, Peter Girguis, Harvard University

    • 20 min: Q&A

Additional Resources

Class Slides

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