Marine protected areas on the high seas? : an introductory guide to the legal issues surrounding the establishment of marine protected areas on the high seas

Abstract

The establishment of designated areas in the ocean that restrict human activities is one of the most viable solutions to successful protection of the marine environment. To end destructive practices on the seas and reverse the loss of biodiversity, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 called for the creation of a global network of marine protected areas. This guide aims to assist international policymakers and other stakeholders in accomplishing this task. It focuses specifically on the legal issues surrounding the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.