Part V Regional Perspectives on Global Ocean Governance, 12 The Asian Perspective on Global Ocean Governance

This chapter discusses issues of global ocean governance from an Asian perspective. The Asian Seas regions face four challenges relating to marine pollution, conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity, adverse impacts of climate change upon the oceans, and maritime security. Before analysing these challenges in detail, the chapter considers two paradigms of ocean governance that the international law of the sea attempts to balance: the traditional paradigm based on co-existence of States; and a new paradigm based on notions of inter-dependency between governments, human communities and the natural environment thus requiring new, more co-operative arrangements. It also examines elements of uncertainty in the Asian Seas regions and notes that there is no regional treaty concerning marine environmental protection in those regions.