GEOGRAPHICAL DIMENSIONS TO GLOBAL OCEANS GOVERNANCE

abstract

The global ocean dominates the world spatially. While there is growing understanding that these vast marine spaces are more valuable than ever, there is also mounting concern over escalating threats to the marine environment and vulnerable ecosystems. Governance of the oceans is both inherently and increasingly geographical in character, illustrated here through consideration of the zonal system of maritime jurisdiction, the definition of baselines along the coast, delineation of the outer limits of maritime zones and delimitation of maritime boundaries. In response to the increasing diversity and intensity of activities and uses of the ocean, a variety of geospatial management approaches are being applied. Geography and geographers will therefore have a salient role to play in present and future global oceans governance.

Keywords:

• ocean governance
• law of the sea
• maritime baselines
• limits
• boundaries

Acknowledgments

The author is indebted to Dr. I Made Andi Arsana of the Department of Geodetic and Geomatic Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia for his kind assistance in preparing the figures included in this study.

These Figures were produced by Dr. Arsana and the present author for inclusion in the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and International Association of Geodesy (IAG) Manual on Technical Aspects of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea – 1982 (TALOS Manual). These figures are reproduced with permission of the IHO and IAG subject to the following notice: Material from IHO-IAG publication C-51, A Manual on Technical Aspects of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea – 1982 (TALOS), Edition 5.0.0 dated June 2014 is reproduced with the permission of Professor Clive Schofield and Dr I Made Andi Arsana, authors of the animated graphics, and of the Secretariat of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Executive Council of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) (Permission N° 8/2020) acting for the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), which do not accept responsibility for the correctness of the material as reproduced: in case of doubt, the IHO-IAG’s authentic text shall prevail. The incorporation of material sourced from IHO-IAG shall not be construed as constituting an endorsement by IHO or IAG of this product.

Additional information

Funding

The author wishes to acknowledge the generous financial support provided by The Nippon Foundation of Japan. This work was also supported through the Australian Research Council Discovery Grant DP180101996, held jointly withcolleagues Professor Stuart Kaye of the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) and Professor Michael Petterson, Auckland University of Technology.