Mariner Umweltschutz durch Meeresschutzgebiete im jurisdiktionsfreien Raum der Hohen See

In order to counteract the adverse effects of humans constantly and increasingly using the oceans, it is necessary to adopt protective measures on the high seas. In this study, the author focuses on a protective instrument which, so far, has often been implemented in coastal waters and within exclusive economic zones: marine protected areas (MPAs). Therefore, he places emphasis on the establishment of such areas on the high seas. Besides elaborating on the development and necessity of the adoption of such measures, he analyses the current legal situation, inter alia, with regard to the potential obligation of establishing high seas MPAs. Furthermore, he addresses the question of whether third countries are bound by the protection regime of high seas MPAs. Finally, the author describes in detail the set of scientific criteria required to identify ecologically or biologically significant areas, which can thus enable more MPAs to be established.