Regional Cooperation in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas: Lessons Learned and Possible Alternatives to the South China Sea Disputes

Abstract

While the prospects of effective dispute settlement in the South China Sea are not very promising, there is much positive work that can be done collectively to advance various issues. Examples of regional cooperation from elsewhere in the world provide valuable lessons, particularly from those regions with similar attributes to the South China Sea. This article aims to understand how regional cooperation is implemented in the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas, particularly on ocean-related issues, and finds that both regions have established regional mechanisms to cooperate on most issues, but mechanisms differ substantially in format, origin, legal framework, and institutional arrangement. Lessons that could be applied to the South China Sea include that a legally binding regime is likely superior to address issues related to marine environmental protection; a regional fisheries management organization is recommended in managing marine living resources; some subjects are suitable for involving a subset of bordering States; extra-regional actors are recommended to obtain Observer status only; and cooperation should be initiated from less-political sensitive areas first. As always, the importance of political will from all parties in the region is paramount for the success of any of these mechanisms.

Keywords:

• Caribbean Sea
• Mediterranean Sea
• ocean governance
• regional cooperation
• South China Sea

Notes

¹It should be noted that the Philippines recognizes the Scarborough as a “reef,” meaning that it is not entitled to have its own territorial sea and other maritime zones. PR China instead calls it an “island,” meaning that the Scarborough is allowed to claim all maritime zones given by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.