Harm Dotinga

Acoustic Pollution in the Oceans: The Search for Legal Standards

The introduction of noise into the marine environment may have significant impacts on marine species and ecosystems. This article examines how the existing international legal framework can be used to address this issue. After providing some background information on sound in the marine environment, the relevant global and regional instruments dealing with the protection of the marine environment, marine pollution, and the conservation of marine species and ecosystems are discussed. The analysis suggests that international law already requires states to address various aspects of this issue. A number of instruments and institutions provide an adequate framework to prescribe rules and standards regarding most sources of acoustic pollution.The introduction of noise into the marine environment may have significant impacts on marine species and ecosystems. This article examines how the existing international legal framework can be used to address this issue. After providing some background information on sound in the marine environment, the relevant global and regional instruments dealing with the protection of the marine environment, marine pollution, and the conservation of marine species and ecosystems are discussed. The analysis suggests that international law already requires states to address various aspects of this issue. A number of instruments and institutions provide an adequate framework to prescribe rules and standards regarding most sources of acoustic pollution.

Exotic harmful algae in marine ecosystems

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are the cause of important damages to marine living resources and human beings. HABs are generated by micro-algae. These marine species are primarily introduced through ballast water of ships and, to a lesser extent, through import of living fish, in particular shellfish. Effective and efficient regulation of HABs requires an integration of insights from biological, economic and legal sciences. Such an integration consists of (a) a clear identification of the bio-ecological pathways and overall consequences related to the damages of HABs; (b) an assessment of monetary costs of HABs; and (c) an understanding of the set of complementary legal-institutional and economic instruments dealing with HABs through prevention, restoration and amelioration. This paper discusses each element in detail, in which biological, economic and legal aspects come together, drawing conclusions for decision making in marine management. In order to move away from the general level of discussion, an example of HABs is presented in which, biological, economic and legal aspects are combined.