The Law of the Sea Convention: International obligations and stewardship responsibilities of coastal nations
Abstract This paper deals with the values to be enhanced by the stewardship responsibilities placed upon coastal States by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It first asks whether these values are the proper ones for ocean management, whether they are sufficient in scope, and whether the terms of the treaty are adequate to protect such values. The term ‘value’ has been used in its broadest sense. In addition to the obvious objective of enhancement of world peace and public order, the paper examines the following desirable objectives: (1) facilitation of international communication; (2) promotion of peaceful uses of the seas and the oceans; (3) the equitable and efficient uses of ocean resources; and (4) the study, protection and preservation of the marine environment. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the value of ocean management as a model for international enhancement of commonly shared values.