World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and Protection of Marine Environment
The summit was held in 2002 in Johannesburg. It was meant to evaluate the progress of the implementation of agenda 21. The agenda involved the protection of marine environment under international laws. The summit was useful as it recommended the strengthening of international associations at the regional and international levels. In 2003, the WSSD initiated a multiyear program that saw the advancement of agenda 21 (Frank, 2007).
The Global Implementation Regime and Protection of Marine Environment
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The regime adopted what came to be referred to as operation provisions. For instance, Generally Accepted and Applicable International Rules and Standards (GAIRAS) define jurisdictions and make provisions for operation and technical standards. It is, however, not clear whether the regime applies to all LOSC parties or not (Frank, 2007).
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and Protection of Marine Environment
MEAs involve the implementation of LOSC laws. The link between LOSC and MEAs is highlighted in article 237 of the former. Part XII of the agreement recognizes specific obligations of member states. The law is effective as it brings together environmental agreements that are in line with LOSC (Frank, 2007).
UN Agenda Item on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
The agenda involves institutional mechanisms used to review the implementation of marine laws. LOSC and other conventions lack an implementation review mechanism, hence the need for this agenda (Howard, 2009).
The 1992 OSPAR Convention
The convention established a binding legal framework to protect the marine environment in North-East Atlantic Oceans. Due to its geographical position, the area is vulnerable to various environmental pressures, such as pollution and degradation. The parties to the convention are required to take precautionary measures to avert marine pollution (Frank, 2007).
The 1992 Helsinki Convention
The Baltic Sea is barely 210 meters deep. Its shallowness makes it vulnerable to pollution and sedimentation. Protective measures are required to address this problem. The first Helsinki convention did not bear fruits with regards to protection of marine environment. However, the 1992 convention succeeded and came up with legal frameworks to restore the Baltic ecological environment. In addition to the regulation of human activities, the elimination of pollution threats was at the top of the agenda during the convention (Frank, 2007).
The 1976 Barcelona Convention (BARCON) and its Protocols
The Barcelona convention, together with the accompanying protocols, was aimed at safeguarding the Mediterranean Sea. The slow exchange of water between the Atlantic and Gibraltar makes the sea vulnerable to pollution and other environmental pressures. The convention required all users of the sea to cooperate and prevent any sort of pollution in this region. The convention is characterized by eight integral protocols that apply to both internal and external glasses of water (Frank, 2007).
Conclusion
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Laws touching on the protection of the marine environment have evolved. The evolution is made evident in this paper with the analysis of the various international legal instruments. The laws are no longer restricted to single states. On the contrary, they have assumed an international dimension, evolving to become international legal instruments.