Introduction
The
Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed sea1
surrounded by 21 countries2. It is
characterized by a number of distinctive features
with important implications for the conservation
and management of fisheries. One of these features
is the general restraint shown by coastal States
in exercising their rights to extend national
jurisdiction over waters in the Mediterranean.
While most States have established territorial
waters, few have claimed an Exclusive economic
zone (EEZ), a fishing zone or/and prevention of
pollution zone extending beyond these waters.
As a result, with high seas status in the Mediterranean
lies much closer. The existence of a large area
of high seas requires a high level of cooperation
between coastal States to ensure the sustainable
utilization of fisheries resources and conservation
of marine biodiversity.
In
this document, we will first briefly present the
basic principles and rules pertaining to maritime
zones under the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and analyze the legal regime
of the Mediterranean waters before evaluating the
possible prospective of evolution.
[1] The concept of semi-enclosed sea
is defined under Article 22 of the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea as "a gulf, basin or sea
surrounded by two or more States and connected to another
sea or the ocean by a narrow outlet or consisting entirely
or primarily of the Territorial seas and Exclusive
economic zones of two or more coastal States".
[2] Note that there are actually 22
countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea as the United
Kingdom possesses three territories in the region,
namely, Gibraltar and the two sovereign base areas
of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in the island of Cyprus. However,
the United Kingdom has not been included in this paper
for the purpose of this study.
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