Law Commons^™

We Need A Global Conservation Agreement For The High Seas, Robin Warner

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

The high seas cover about 50% of Earth’s surface and host a major share of the world’s biodiversity, but remain largely ungoverned. With increasing threats to open ocean ecosystems, now more than ever we need a high seas conservation agreement.

Recently the first of three meetings was held in New York to assess the scope, parameters and feasibility of an international conservation agreement for the high seas and the sustainable use of its biodiversity. States meeting at the UN will decide by September 2015 whether to have such an agreement.

So why are the high seas important for conservation?

The Sustainable Use And Conservation Of Biodiversity In Abnj: What Can Be Achieved Using Existing International Agreements?, Jeff Ardron, Rosemary Rayfuse, Kristina Gjerde, Robin Warner

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

Attention has recently been given to shortcomings and gaps in the governance regime for marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), especially with regard to the conservation of marine biodiversity. This paper provides a brief overview of existing ABNJ treaties and their associated governance bodies. Examples of the manner in which some gaps have been (or are in the process of being) filled are outlined. These examples suggest that given the political will, existing bodies could achieve significantly more. Additionally, greater involvement from those conservation conventions that have already proven themselves to be effective in areas under national jurisdiction, such as …

The Legal Aspects Of Connectivity Conservation: Case Studies, Malcolm Farrier, Melissa Harvey, Solange Teles Da Silva, Marcia D. Leuzinger, Jonathan Verschuuren, Mariya Gromilova, Arie Trouwborst, Alexander R. Paterson

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

This publication follows on from Volume I in the series on legal aspects of connectivity conservation. It provides five case studies that continue to define and develop connectivity conservation law for supporting protected areas and for providing opportunities to address climate change as part of biodiversity conservation agendas. Volumes I and II together aim to advance conceptual thinking and legal understanding about important law and policy tools and options for supporting the connectivity of protected area systems. The legal research and analyses reflected in these papers span international, regional, national and local levels. A range of legal instruments existing in …

The Legal Aspects Of Connectivity Conservation: A Concept Paper, Barbara Lausche, Malcolm Farrier, Jonathan Verschuuren, Antonio G. M La Vina, Arie Trouwborst

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

This publication aims to advance conceptual thinking and legal understanding about important law and policy tools and options for supporting the connectivity of protected area systems. The legal research and analyses reflected in this paper span international, regional, national and local levels. A range of legal instruments existing in most national legal systems, from conservation and sustainable use laws to land use planning, development control, voluntary conservation and economic instruments are explored. The paper is intended to offer concrete ideas of existing and potential legal tools and approaches that countries can use immediately to initiate priority connectivity conservation actions and …

What A Tangled Net: Unravelling The International Complications Of Tuna Conservation, Quentin Hanich, Glenn Sant

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

The eighth meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission concluded in Guam on Friday 30 March 2012. Five hundred delegates from more than 40 countries argued for a week about how to reduce overfishing in the Western and Central Pacific tuna fisheries and sustainably manage the world’s largest tuna fisheries.

Scientific assessments clearly recommend urgent action to address overfishing and reduce fishing mortality for bigeye tuna, halt any increases in fishing mortality for yellowfin and probably albacore, reduce fishing mortality of juvenile bigeye and yellowfin, and develop precautionary limits for skipjack. If these actions are not taken the …

Who Pays For Conservation In The World's Biggest Tuna Fishery?, Quentin Hanich

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts - Papers (Archive)

The world catches too many tuna. Thanks to our high levels of fishing, some tuna species are under threat. Everyone involved in the fishing industry agrees that fishing effort needs to be reduced. But no one can decide who should bear the burden of cutting back their fishery. This week the Scientific Committee to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meets in Busan, Korea to try once more to reduce over-fishing.

The WCPFC is the globally mandated regional fisheries management organisation for these tuna fisheries. It is required to adopt conservation measures that ensure the long-term conservation of …

Sovereignty And Cooperation In Regional Pacific Tuna Fisheries Management: Politics, Economics, Conservation And The Vessel Day Scheme, Quentin A. Hanich, Hannah Parris, Ben M. Tsamenyi

Faculty of Law - Papers (Archive)

No abstract provided.

Management Plans And State Of Environment Reports Prepared And Implemented By Local Councils In Nsw: Problems And Potential For Biodiversity Conservation, Andrew H. Kelly

Faculty of Law - Papers (Archive)

The Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) demands every local council in NSW to prepare, inter alia, a ‘management plan’ and a ‘state of the environment report’. This paper critically examines both mechanisms and the relationship between them. Discussion is underpinned by the context of biodiversity conservation at the local level. Whilst good intentions lie behind the legislative requirements, their environmental benefits are questionable. They are often recognised as little more than bothersome bureaucratic hurdles. Although overdue legislative and policy change is forthcoming, concern is raised about loss of focus on the conserving biodiversity.