International Protection of Earth’s Oceans
Viewing Planet Earth from outer space may be an unexpected change in the sight of the oceans that occupy almost three quarters of the surface. Not just the visible sheen of oil pollutions that has been with us for at least one hundred years, but islands of floating indestructible plastic bags and packaging, deadly to sea birds, whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. These islands of waste are also symbols of the chemical pollution that is even more dangerous to human health. In July 2017 the United Nations General Assembly began to discuss a new type of treaty to regulate abuses of ocean areas unclaimed by any nation, called “res nullius” or “no-man’s land.” This Article will discuss the origins, history, purposes, and methodology of international ocean regulation, as the United Nations searches for answers to questions of how to regulate and where to begin the regulation.
Recommended Citation: Joseph C. Sweeney, International Protection of Earth’s Oceans, 43 Fordham Int'l L.J. 669 (2020).