The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: Developments, Challenges and Perspectives

This study seeks to provide an analysis of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with particular reference to fisheries management and to the European Community (EC). The report provides a brief synopsis of the Convention, including the mechanisms for review and amendment of the Convention and for EC participation in the Convention, together with a more detailed analysis of its provisions on fisheries. The relationship between the Convention and issues of recent concern in international fisheries management is considered. These issues include the regulation of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks, the role of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), driftnet fishing, fisheries bycatch and discards, the promotion of sustainable fisheries and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.