Significant amendments adopted in 2007 to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention (NAFO), Convention on Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, entered into force on the 18 May 2017. In practice, many of the obligations have already been provisionally applied.
For more information, see the press release and Convention (ed. 18 May 2017).
Filed under International Organizations
On the 23 June 2017, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) has issued Recommendation No. 17, entitled, Submarine Cable Operations in Deep Seabed Mining Concessions Designated by the International Seabed Authority. ICPC Recommendation No. 17 provides procedures for due diligence in the laying and repair of submarine cables in concessions designated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the exploration and/or exploitation of mineral resources in the “Area”.
For more information see the press release and requests for the recommendation can be made here.
Filed under Non-State Actors
The Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law (Swansea University Law School) shall host a conference, entitled, Maritime Liabilities in a Regional and Global Context: The EU and Beyond, 4-5 September 2017, at Swansea University (Swansea, UK).
For further information (in Welsh and English) see the registration page here, and announcement here.
Filed under Events
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition shall host a conference, entitled, Antarctica Today and Tomorrow, 29 June 2017, at the Oceanographic Institute (Paris, France).
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
NGIZ Club Clingendael shall host a conference, entitled, Tensions in the South Chinese Sea and shifting foreign policy interests: What is the future outlook for South East Asia?, 28 June 2017, at the Clingendael Institute (The Hague, Netherlands).
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
The ESIL Interest Group on Law of the Sea shall hold a workshop, entitled, Global Commons and Values in Oceans: What should be the role of the New Implementing Agreement under UNCLOS?, on 6 September 2017, in Naples, Italy. This is a pre-conference workshop on the occasion of the 13th ESIL Annual Conference. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 15 June 2017.
For more information, see the call for papers. For general information on the ESIL annual conference see here.
The Hague Institute for Global Justice, in co-operation with the African Association of International Law (AAIL) and the African Foundation for International Law (AFIL), shall host a lecture, entitled, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and Africa, 2 June 2017, at The Hague Institute For Global Justice (Hague, Netherlands).
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
On the 12 May 2017, the arbitration tribunal in respect of, Dispute Concerning Coastal State Rights in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Kerch Strait (Ukraine v. the Russian Federation), PCA Case No. 2017-06, held its first procedural meeting. On the 18 May 2017 the Rules of Procedure were adopted.
For more information see the press release and Rules of Procedure. The Case View may be found here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
World Oceans Day is celebrated 8 June 2017, under the coordination of The Ocean Project. This year’s theme is, Our Oceans, Our Future, and events around the world will occur in the week surrounding the 8 June 2017.
For more information, see the host of events listed here.
Filed under Non-State Actors
The German Society for the United Nations (DGVN) and the Swedish Embassy in Germany shall host a conference, entitled, Eine nachhaltige Zukunft für unsere Ozeane? (A sustainable future for our oceans?), 7 June 2017, at the Swedish Embassy (Berlin, Germany). The discussion and live report from the United Nations Ocean Conference will be held in German.
For more information see the programme and registration page.
Filed under Events
The Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, The Nature Conservancy and the Organization for Regional and Inter-regional Studies (Waseda University) shall host a conference, entitled, Seafood Transparency and Sustainability, 16-17 May 2017, at Waseda University (Shinjuku, Japan).
For more information and registration see here. The programme is available here.
Filed under Events
The K.G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law shall host a workshop, entitled, Natural Marine Resource Management in a Changing Climate, 13-14 June 2017, at the K.G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea (Tromsø, Norway).
For more information and registration (fees apply) see the announcement and programme. The call for papers was previously reported.
Filed under Events
The School of Law of the University of Milano-Bicocca shall host a conference, entitled, Exploring the human element of the oceans: the gender implications of the law of the sea, 25-26 May 2017, at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Milan, Italy).
For more information see the programme, and registration page. The call for papers was previously reported.
Filed under Events
On 21 April 2017 Norway became the first state to deposit its instrument of ratification to the Protocol of 2010 to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea. There are currently seven other signatories, subject to ratification.
For further information, and requirements for entry into force, see here. A consolidated version of the treaty (2010 HNS Convention) is available here.
Filed under Treaties
The Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for Procedural Law shall host a conference, entitled, A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Dispute Resolution in the Law of International Watercourses and the Law of the Sea, 25-26 September 2017.
Filed under Events
The Second Intergovernmental Consultations on UN Ocean Conference Call for Action was held 24-27 April 2017, at UN Headquarters (New York, USA). The first round was held 20-22 March 2017 and the third round is anticipated to be the final.
A report of the outstanding issues identified during consultation is available on the SDG Knowledge Hub website. For more information on the event and the Draft Call for Action discussed, see the letter of the co-facilitators.
Filed under International Organizations
The Centre de droit international EDIEC (Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3), together with the Association pour la promotion du droit international, shall host a symposium, entitled, United Nations Security Council and the Sea, 4-5 May 2017, at the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 (Lyon, France).
For more information see the programme here.
Filed under Events
The World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrator’s decision, released 25 April 2017, in respect of DS381: US — Tuna II (Mexico), provided “Mexico may request authorization from the [Dispute Settlement Body] DSB to suspend concessions or other obligations […] at a level not exceeding USD 163.23 million per annum”. The dispute originally arises from the 2013 US tuna labeling policy (since modified and further challenged), which was used as the basis to assess the “level of nullification or impairment of benefits accruing to Mexico”.
For further information see here, and the reported decision here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
The Third Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Meeting, held 24-28 April 2017 (Nuku’alofa, Tonga), adopted the Memorandum of Understanding on Flag State Implementation for Domestic Ship in the Pacific Islands Region (Pacific MoU), the first in the world to address the safety of domestic shipping. Despite inclusion in previous discussions, port state control was excluded form the MoU to avoid duplication with the Tokyo MoU.
For more information see the Pacific MoU, Communiqué and the Transport Resolutions (paras. 21-22). Other documentation and resources from the meeting are available here.
Filed under State Practice
The first working version of the Information System of the Global Record for Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels (Global Record) was launched 21 April 2017. This follows a number of progressive calls for its development and noted benefits for e.g. the Port State Measures Agreement.
For more information and access, see the press release and dedicated website.
Filed under International Organizations
The Government of Norway will host the the First Meeting of the Parties to the PSMA [Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing] and the First Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group to be established under Article 21 of the Agreement, from 29 to 31 May 2017 and from 1 to 2 June 2017, respectively, in Oslo. The first Meeting of the Parties will address a variety of aspects of implementation, whilst the Ad Hoc Working Group is to consider the requirements of developing state parties and ‘options for the establishment of funding mechanisms’, as per article 21.
Filed under Treaties
The Centre for International Law (CIL), National University of Singapore and the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, shall host a Maritime Boundaries Workshop, 6-8 June 2017, at the National University of Singapore.
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
The American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA) will host the International Law Weekend (ILW) 2017, entitled, International Law in Challenging Times, 19-21 October 2017, at the New York City Bar and Fordham University School of Law (New York, USA). Panel proposals are now being accepted including those concerning the law of the sea.
Submissions are open until 30 April 2017. For more information see here.
The Istanbul Center of International Law, in cooperation with Galatasaray University, shall host a summer school entitled, Law of the Sea on the edge of the Bosphorus, 17-23 June 2017, at Galatasaray University (Turkey). Applications are open until 30 April 2017.
For more information, see here.
Filed under Courses
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body adopted a decision at its 329th Session based upon a Committee report in respect of non-observance by Thailand of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29). The focus of the report is in respect of fisheries carried out under Thailand’s flag state jurisdiction and responsibility.
For further information see the Report of the Committee, and the Governing Body Decision.
Filed under International Organizations
The eleventh session of the IFLOS Summer Academy at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will be held 23 July to 18 August 2017. The deadline to submit applications is 20 April 2017 (electronic), or 30 April 2017 (postal).
For more information, see here.
Filed under Courses
The twenty-second session of the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy will be held 2 -22 July, 2017. The deadline to submit applications is 3 April 2017.For more information, fees and application documents please see here.
Furthermore see the Rhodes Academy Submarine Cables Writing Award sponsored by The International Cable Protection Committee, which also has a deadline of the 1 April 2017.
Filed under Courses
The Center for Polar and Deep Ocean Development, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, working with Polar Research Institute of China, shall host a workshop entitled, Law and Governance: emerging issues of the polar regions, 20-21 June 2017, at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai, China).
The deadline for abstracts is 15 March 2017. For more information, see here.
To support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, The Ocean Conference, will be held 5-9 June 2017, at United Nations Headquarters (New York, USA). A preparatory meeting will be held 14-16 February 2017, at United Nations Headquarters (New York, USA). Both events will include side events, but participation is limited.
For more on the conference see here, and the preparatory conference here.
Filed under Events, International Organizations
The conciliation proceedings between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, pursuant to article 298 and Annex V of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, has resulted in measures intended to facilitate the conciliation, reported within a Trilateral Joint Statement issued 9 January 2017. After further exploration of negotiating positions, Timor-Leste has written to the tribunals to withdraw the two claims it had initiated with Australia under the Timor Sea Treaty, reported within a Trilateral Joint Statement issued 24 January 2017.
See Trilateral Joint Statement – PCA Case Nº 2016-10 (9 January 2017) and Trilateral Joint Statement – PCA Case Nº 2016-10 (24 January 2017).
Filed under Jurisprudence
The 6th Biannual Asian Society of International Law (ASIANSIL), entitled, Asia and International Law in Times of Uncertainty, will be held 25 – 26 August 2017 in Seoul (Republic of Korea). Topics suggested within the call for papers include three Law of the Sea sessions: South China Sea Arbitral Award and its Implications for the Law of the Sea; Maritime Security and International Law; Protection of the Marine Environment in Asia. A further junior scholars workshop call for papers also includes law of the sea.
For more information see the website; conference call for papers; junior scholars workshop call for papers.
The K.G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea (UiT) and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law (Pace University) shall host a workshop, entitled, Natural Marine Resource Management in a Changing Climate, 13 – 14 June 2017, at the University of Tromsø (Norway). Interested participants are invited to submit an abstract by 1 March 2017.
For more information see the call for participation and abstracts, and the announcement here.
The K.G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea (JCLOS) shall host a conference, entitled, Protecting the ‘Commons’ in the Arctic: The role of the EU, 28 – 29 June 2017, at the University of Tromsø (Norway).
Filed under Events
The K.G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea (JCLOS) will host a PhD summer course, entitled, Methodology and legal science within the international Law of the sea, 15 – 16 June 2017, at the University of Tromsø (Norway). Applications are open until 3 April 2017.
For further information and to apply, see here.
Filed under Courses
The School of Law of the University of Milano-Bicocca will host a conference, entitled, Exploring the human element of the oceans: the gender implications of the law of the sea, from 25-26 May 2017, at the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca (Milan, Italy). The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2017.
For more information, please see the call for papers.
The Arctic Frontiers conference, entitled, White Space – Blue Future, will be held 22-27 January 2017, in Tromsø (Norway). A number of presentations will touch upon legal matters.
For more information see here, and registration (fees apply) here.
Filed under Events
The Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law will host a colloquium, entitled, Ecosystem based management in the Arctic, from 1-2 December 2016, at the University of Oslo.
For more information and registration (fees apply), please see here.
Filed under Events
On the 10th November 2016, the EU Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted a Joint Communication, entitled, International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans.
For further information see here, and the Joint Communication here.
Filed under International Organizations, State Practice
On the 7th October 2016 Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands concluded 33 years of negotiation by signing a maritime boundary agreement addressing “Temotu Province in Solomon Islands and Torba Province of Vanuatu”. The agreement was signed on Mota Lava Island, Vanuatu (see references ‘Mota Lava Treaty’).
For more information see the press releases by The Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Press Office and The Pacific Community (SPC). See further the reference to the incorporation of local custom within the delimitation process, here.
PluriCourts – Center for the Study of the Legitimacy of International Courts, UiO, in cooperation with the K.G. Jebsen Center for the Law of the Sea (JCLOS), UiT, shall host a panel discussion, entitled, The South China Sea Arbitration between China and the Philippines, 28 September 2016, at Litteraturhuset, Oslo (Norway).
For further information and the programme, see the PluriCourts and JCLOS announcements.
Filed under Events
Following the previously reported 2014 and 2015 Our Ocean Conferences, the third Our Ocean Conference was held in Washington, DC (USA), 15-16 September, 2016. Over 136 new initiatives on marine conservation and protection were announced and the initiative is set to continue past the Obama Administration with the conferences in 2017 hosted by the European Union in Malta, in 2018 in Indonesia, and in 2019 in Norway.
For more information see the 2016 Conference Website, and the New Commitments Factsheet.
For those interested in the proposed negotiations of an international agreement under the WTO to prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies see the related Joint Statement Regarding Fisheries Subsidies.
Filed under Events, State Practice
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, “[o]n 14 September 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine officially served the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation with a notification of arbitration and statement of claim instituting ad hoc arbitral proceedings under Annex VII of UNCLOS”.
For more information, see here.
Filed under Jurisprudence, State Practice
The Centre for Law and Society in a Global Context (CLSGC), Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), shall host a new book forum, entitled, Whaling in the Antarctic: Significance and Implications of the ICJ Judgment, edited by Professor Malgosia Fitzmaurice and Professor Dai Tamada, and published by Brill. The forum will take place on the 23 September 2016 at the law building of QMUL (London, UK).
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
The American Branch of the International Law Association & the International Law Students Association will host their International Law Weekend 2016, entitled, International Law 5.0, from 27-29 October 2016. The event will take place at the New York City Bar and Fordham University School of Law, New York (USA). A number of panels shall deal with law of the sea issues.
For more information and registration see here, and the programme here.
Filed under Events
The Maastricht Centre for Human Rights will host an open event entitled, Symposium on the Falklands (Malvinas), on the 7 October 2016, at the Stayokay Hotel Maastricht (The Netherlands). The second panel will deal with ‘issues concerning the exploration and exploitation of resources in the waters around the islands’.
For more information and registration, see here.
Filed under Events
The K. G. Jebsen Centre for the Law of the Sea (JCLOS) will host a symposium entitled, Innovating for change in global fisheries governance, on the 23 September 2016, at the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø (Norway).
For more information, see here, and the latest programme. The previously reported call for papers can be found here.
Filed under Events
Following the previously reported initiation of compulsory conciliation by Timor-Leste in respect of a dispute with Australia, readers may follow the inter-state conciliation on the Permanent Court of Arbitration website, PCA Case No. 2016-10.
For more information, press releases and transcripts see here.
Filed under Jurisprudence
The London International Boundary Conference 2017 will be held from the 5-6 June 2017, at King’s College London (London, UK). The call for papers, entitled, Practical Aspects of International Boundaries and Sovereignty Disputes, has been issued with a deadline of the 6 January 2017. a number of topics may be of interest to those working around the law of the sea.
For more information, see here.
The Netherlands Institute for the Law of the Sea (NILOS) will host a seminar (in dutch only) entitled, Visserij in de Poolgebieden, on the 14 September 2016, at Universiteit Utrecht (Utrecht, The Netherlands). Participation is free, but registration encouraged due to space constraints.
Filed under Events
MPA Action Agenda, MPA News, and the EBM Tools Network (co-coordinated by NatureServe and OpenChannels.org), will host a webinar entitled, Protecting the high seas through a new marine biodiversity treaty under UNCLOS, on 26 July 2016, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM CEST.
Filed under Events
De Maribus 