/library/oar/handle/123456789/2252 Sun, 09 Nov 2025 14:54:13 GMT 2025-11-09T14:54:13Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/115699 Title: A comparative analysis on the effectiveness of the law in straits used for international navigation and transit passage with regard to the protection of the marine and coastal environment Abstract: As oceans encompass most of earth’s surface, ecosystems include for example the supply food, oxygen, and the greatest unknown habitat. Effective legal systems should preserve the globally important marine environment. Particularly, UNCLOS Article XII is one of the frameworks observed in terms of the protection of the marine environments. This thesis examined three straits used for international navigation and transit passage, particularly identifying stakeholder nations and their efforts in international safeguard measure efforts. A particular focus was laid on the marine transportation hubs, as they are experiencing the highest pressures and effects of marine traffic related pollution. Studying Gibraltar, Hormuz, and Malacca it became evident that geography makes the areas important linking centers between different seas, whilst also ensuring flow and trade of goods such as oil or food. Through comparison of stakeholder nation engagement in maritime environment conservation in the straits should reveal whether environmentally problematic locations are well managed. Major international shipping-pollution treaties were also compared, such as IMO conventions. Reviewing stakeholder nations found pollution-prevention strategies and efficacy was determined by detailed factor analysis based on different existing approaches previously employed in a variety of political and legal studies and a triangulation of methods. It was concluded that to compare and assess laws, the Straits parties must enforce laws with other shareholder nations. Most stakeholder states in the Strait of Hormuz region protect less than 1% of their marine space, with Gibraltar trailing Malacca. The Strait of Gibraltar has the most CLC Convention and IOPC Fund reported accidents, yet their participation in pollution control efforts demonstrates how essential the mechanism is. In comparison, the Malacca Strait traffic causes less accidents comparatively. Finally, the minority of the analyzed straits has ratified or joined MARPOL Annexes offering additional restrictions to sources of pollution, indicating continuous difficulties and a need for accountability that legal frameworks can provide. Description: M.A. Ocean Gov.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/115699 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/105298 Title: Are Mediterranean MPAs effective in achieving their conservation and management goals or are they just paper parks? Abstract: The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for both biodiversity and pressures. It is recognized that in order to preserve the health and biodiversity of the marine environment, 30% of the ocean should be effectively protected by 2030. The underlying argument of this paper is that Marine Protected Areas are not being implemented to the degree of providing real protection, providing a false sense of accomplishment. Although designation is quickly increasing, it is not being followed by the same haste of implementation. An analysis is provided on the ecological coherence of the Mediterranean Network of MPAs from a single species approach - Sea Turtles - since this is one of the main foundations of an effective network. To gain a better understanding of the claims made about their designation status two countries are chosen as case studies to provide a deeper insight as well as an in-depth analysis of selected MPAs through a regulation-based classification system. A different system than the one currently in use must be used to accommodate for the discrepancy between designation and implementation. A more credible scenario can be presented by rephrasing the manner that protected area is asserted. Description: M.A. Ocean Gov.(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/105298 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/101525 Title: Effectively combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as a transnational organised crime Abstract: In 2008, former United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, identified IUU fishing as one of the seven major threats to maritime security. Whilst that 31.5% of the global fish stock is being over-exploited, it has been estimated that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing accounts for 20% of global catches. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly also recognised the existence of links between transnational organised crime and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing - today generally referred as 'fisheries crime'. Fishing activities by transnational organised criminal networks ricochet between different jurisdictions, taking advantage of jurisdictional arbitrage, whereby they exploit weak laws and enforcement capacities, making it difficult for State actors to effectively combat them. This dissertation will evaluate the nature of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing as a transnational organised crime and how the international legal framework fares against the challenges posed by the dynamic and transnational nature of the modus operandi of the crime. It will also delve into the limitations of the same international legal framework and the nationality principle under international law. The dissertation will conclude that although the international community has sought to create a strong legal framework to reach sustainability in global fisheries and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, it is weak when facing transnational organised crime. The present author argues that the effectiveness of the international legal framework depends on its adoption and implementation within domestic legal frameworks. Multilateral cooperation in homogenising legal obligations and compliance degrees across States, shared monitoring, control and surveillance operations, coordinated enforcement and strategic criminal intelligence sharing are also key factors in the fight against this crime. Through the evaluation of actions provided by legal frameworks and State practice, the present author provides two general approaches that can be taken by States for the effective combat of illegal, unrep01ied and unregulated fishing as a transnational organised crime. Description: M.A.OCEAN GOV. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/101525 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/100878 Title: Underwater noise as a new threat to the marine environment, with special reference to marine mammals, mainly cetaceans Abstract: In May 1996, several Cuvier' s beaked whales were found stranded along the coast of Gulf of Kyparissia in Ionian Sea, Greece. The necropsies consisted of a basic examination and did not lead to the discovery of the cause of death. In an attempt to find the cause of the fatal event, marine biologists examined potential options, including meteorological events, pollution, tectonic activity, but nothing seemed to have taken place in the area that could be related to the incident. A leading researcher, Frantzis came across a notice dating several months back from the Greek Hydrographic Service, which relayed a warning from NA TO that "sound detecting system trials" would performed by a research vessel in the area, including coordinates of the Gulf. Tests involved, a Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS). The researcher made a link between these two events, claiming that sonar resulted on these negatives effects on the marine mammals. Intense debate was ensued, between scientists and NATO. The strandings were seen as an international benchmark event, prompting the scientific community to deal with a new phenomenon, an environmental threat, namely underwater noise. Following this incident, many other cetacean strandings that took place around the world, for instance, in the Bahamas and the Canary Islands, alarmed the scientists. For the past 10 years, scientific community has attempted to understand better the problem, the effects on cetaceans and the precise reasons causing their deaths, in an attempt to regulate internationally this new threat to the marine environment. The significance of underwater noise lies on the fact that is the primary communication tool for marine mammals, which are based on sound for various needs, such as echolocation. In the marine environment, anthropogenic noise is a result of different sources, where shipping and seismic surveys are the main ones. In areas where the natural and anthropogenic signals meet, data collection has shown in many cases disturbance to marine mammals. Several regional frameworks attempt to deal with underwater noise, for instance in the United States and Europe. One very optimistic attempt is the Marine Strategy Framework Directive-MSFD- and decisions through ACCOBAMS. As underwater noise is a relatively recent issue in the scientific community, this study aims to bring noise to public awareness. Also, due to its interdisciplinary characteristics, the study attempts to provide the basic background, but in the same time the necessary depth to familiarize the readers with this new threat to the marine environment. Last but not least, this thesis aims to work as a bridge combining biological aspects, legal framework and policy making. Description: M.A.OCEAN GOV. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/100878 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z