https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2253 2026-05-15T10:58:43Z 2026-05-15T10:58:43Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2304 2017-08-21T11:01:40Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Governance on marine biodiversity in the area beyond National Jurisdiction : represented by marine genetic resources Abstract: Nowadays human being’s ability to explore the high sea and deep sea bed is increasing daily. As a new kind of marine resources, the marine biodiversity is attracting more and more attention for its scientific, economic, industrial, medical and environmental values. However, the exploitation and utilization of the marine biodiversity in the ABNJ has become a controversial issue across the globe. For the marine biodiversity in the ABNJ, developed countries take a view that the development and utilization should be exploited freely by each State according to the principle of “Freedom of the Seas”1. However, developing countries insist that the marine biodiversity in ABNJ should be regarded as the “common heritage” like “the Area” as well as its “resources” in it2 and the benefits should be owned by all human kinds. For the legal framework, now neither the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea nor the Convention on Biological Diversity has clearly regulated the marine biodiversity in ABNJ. And there is no such a related international organization which can regulate effectively. Therefore, the current international legal framework is incapable of supervising the marine biodiversity in ABNJ reasonably. Under that circumstance, international society feels it is necessary to establish an effective legal system on the marine biodiversity in ABNJ. This essay aims at introducing firstly the status quo of marine biodiversity and the existing problems of the conservation the marine biodiversity in the ABNJ; secondly the conflicts about the legal status of marine biodiversity represented by marine genetic resources in the ABNJ; thirdly the margins of the existing legal framework about the marine biodiversity in the ABNJ; last but not least the writer’s own analysis of the importance to protect the marine biodiversity and suggestion to protect and conserve the marine biodiversity in ABNJ. Description: International Ocean Institute (IOI) in collaboration with Faculty of Laws; M.A.OCEAN GOV.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2302 2017-10-04T09:35:02Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of environmental Education in Maltese marine protected areas Abstract: The researcher was interested in exploring the relationship between Environmental Education and Marine Protected Areas in Malta. This study aimed to assess the environmental knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of both relevant stakeholders and the Maltese public towards Malta’s marine environment, Marine Protected Areas and Environmental Education. A mixed-methods approach was adopted as the research methodology, which entailed the collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. This was accomplished through semi-structured interviews with twelve interviewees representing key stakeholders and the administration of a questionnaire to two hundred members of the Maltese public. The qualitative and quantitative data was collected concurrently and subsequently analyzed separately. Verbatim transcripts from the interviews were first analyzed on an individual question basis, and then a thematic second level analysis was performed. As for the quantitative data, an analysis employing both descriptive and inferential statistics was conducted. The study found that there is a lack of marine Environmental Education in Malta, although stakeholders and the Maltese public perceive it as important. Low levels of knowledge surrounding the local marine environment were recorded, but stakeholders and the Maltese public have an overall positive attitude towards Marine Protected Areas. Stakeholders identified cooperation as the preferred means to managing Malta’s Marine Protected Areas and also pointed to the need to address issues of implementation and enforcement. In response to these findings, recommendations are made regarding the further incorporation of marine Environmental Education in Malta, particularly surrounding the local Marine Protected Areas. Description: International Ocean Institute (IOI) in collaboration with Faculty of Laws

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2301 2017-09-25T08:12:08Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Maritime disputes in the South China Sea : case study between China and the Philippines Abstract: This thesis deals with the arbitration case over maritime disputes between China and the Philippines among the intricate disputes in the South China Sea. With the increasing conflicts between the two nations and among the other claimant states, the situation in the South China Sea is deeply concerned by the international community. Each claimant state has its own ground, of which the legitimacy needs to be examined under international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea does provide the resolution methods for member states involved in the maritime disputes under Annex VII. However, it may not be the sole method that one claimant can use to back up its claims. The various factors including the ‘historic reasons’ need to be taken into consideration. As China and the Philippines are both member states of the Law of the Sea Convention, their claims are still bound by the law. Thus the thesis concentrates on the various aspects on this issue, not only dedicating to the legitimacy of the claim such as the nine-dash line issued by the Chinese government, but also the possible non-appearance of Chinese government in front of the Tribunal. The thesis dwells on the history of the maritime disputes as the background and then focus on the legal aspects of the claims. The author takes into account stances of both countries and gives certain recommendations as policy options for both countries on light of current situation, including the discussion on the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Tribunal over this case. Sorting out the China and the Philippine situation may shed light on the rest of the disputes in that region. The importance of the case needs no more explanation. It worth study and research for taking the right and rational policies for both sides, with the aim of maintaining the peace and stability, as well as freedom of navigation in that region, which is the major concern for many stakeholders. Description: International Ocean Institute (IOI) in collaboration with Faculty of Laws; M.A.OCEAN GOV.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2300 2017-09-29T08:35:56Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Pollution from shipping : improving compliance measure Abstract: This thesis mainly focuses on the legal framework relating to the ship-source marine pollution at international and regional level respectively, and introduces the feasible compliance measure to strengthen the implementation regarding legislation and technology. This work focus on the importance of protecting marine environment through against marine pollution that caused by coastal State, flag State, and port State. And the common people are obliged to conserve the marine environment and human habitats from minor pollution. Chapter one discusses the current status of marine environment, then introduces the conception of Marine Pollution under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and presents the source of marine pollution. Chapter two mainly concerns the ship-source pollution, which can be identified as following: exhaust emission, ballast water, oil spill, sewage, and other sanitary pollution from ships. It will go into details about each category, especially analyzing the Torrey Canyon disaster. Chapter three discusses the legal framework of protecting marine pollution at international and regional level, mainly International Maritime Organization Conventions such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 73/78 (MARPOL 73/78) regarding to the ship-source pollution, and regulations of marine pollution from ships under UNCLOS. Chapter will also look at the 1976 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention)3 and 1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (Helsinki Convention)4 which are relating to the regions of Mediterranean Sea and Baltic Sea. Chapter four deals with the improving compliance measure regarding three kinds of ship-source pollution, which respectively are oil spill pollution, exhaust emission, and ballast water. It introduces the measures that range from the perfecting legislations to improving the ship’s structure and advancing technology in this regard. All works are summarized above, the problems and suggestions are also concluded in the final part. Description: International Ocean Institute (IOI) in collaboration with Faculty of Laws; M.A.OCEAN GOV.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z