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This study addresses Türkiye’s policies in the maritime sector to evaluate their compliance with European Union (EU) maritime policies. Maritime transport serves as a catalyst for the economic development and prosperity of the EU. The EU adopts a maritime transport policy that is environmentally friendly, sustainable, fair, and developed within the framework of competition rules, requiring international cooperation and coordination, as well as integration with digital systems. Türkiye is a candidate state for EU membership, which means that it is supposed to converge its policies to those of the EU and make required harmonization in its national legislation. Therefore, Türkiye must develop policies and align its legislation in the maritime sector with the EU’s policies in this domain. In this context, the study, utilizing a document-based analysis in a qualitative research approach, aims to investigate the current level of Türkiye’s alignment with EU maritime policies. This is achieved by examining the EU country reports published by the European Commission between 2018 and 2023. The study concludes with findings and recommendations regarding Türkiye’s adherence to EU maritime policy, particularly in the areas of international agreements, marine safety, environmental protection, legislation, digitalization, and port management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the latest in a series of annual surveys in this Journal reviewing dispute settlement in the law of the sea, both under Part XV of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and outside the framework of the Convention. The most significant developments during 2023 were the judgments on the merits of a Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in the Dispute concerning Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius/Maldives) case and of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Question of the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf between Nicaragua and Colombia beyond 200 Nautical Miles from the Nicaraguan Coast (Nicaragua v. Colombia) case; the commencement of two new cases before the ITLOS and the ICJ concerning the seizure and detention of vessels and climate change obligations, respectively; and the findings and recommendations of a panel established by the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation to consider the validity of one of its fisheries conservation and management measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The delimitation of maritime boundaries plays a significant role in preserving the country's sovereignty and jurisdiction. The maritime baseline was established based on the combination of maritime basepoints, which represents the Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) along the coast. However, the current approach still relies on the limited and sparsely distributed tide gauge stations for the determination of LAT. Therefore, this study aims to develop the Peninsular Malaysia Near-Seamless Tidal Datum (PMNSTD) by integrating tide gauge, satellite altimetry, and Tide Model Driver (TMD) data. PMNSTD was further integrated with Digital Elevation Models (DEM) for the delimitation of maritime boundaries. This study methodology includes data acquisitions of 12 tide gauge stations along the coast of Peninsular Malaysia, satellite altimetry data for TOPEX, Jason-1, Jason-2, and GEOSAT Follow-On (GFO) from Radar Altimeter Database System (RADS), TMD, and TerraSAR-X add on for Digital Elevation Measurement 30 m (TanDEM-X) data. The tide gauge, satellite altimetry, and TMD data encompass 23 years of tidal observation data from 1993 to 2015. For the derivation of the tidal datum, the tide gauge and satellite altimetry data were analysed using harmonic analysis in UTide, whereas, for the TMD data, the tidal datum was determined based on tidal prediction. For compatibility in data integration, the derived Lowest and Highest Astronomical Tide (LAT and HAT) from tide gauge, satellite altimetry, and TMD data were referenced to the Mean Sea Level (MSL), denoted as ${\rm{LA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}{\rm{ }}$ LA T msl and ${\rm{HA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}$ HA T msl respectively. Next, the ${\rm{LA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}{\rm{ }}$ LA T msl and ${\rm{HA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}$ HA T msl was interpolated using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) to develop the PMNSTD (${\rm{LA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}{\rm{ }}$ LA T msl and ${\rm{HA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}$ HA T msl ) using ArcGIS. The statistical assessment indicates that the PMNSTD (${\rm{LA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}{\rm{ }}$ LA T msl and ${\rm{HA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}$ HA T msl ) established from the integration of tide gauge, satellite altimetry, and TMD has a better agreement with the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (DSMM) tide gauges with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Standard Deviation (STD) of 0.228 m and 0.175 m for ${\rm{LA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}$ LA T msl , as well as 0.159 m and 0.079 m for ${\rm{HA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}$ HA T msl . Next, the PMNSTD (${\rm{LA}}{{\rm{T}}_{{\rm{msl}}}}$ LA T msl ) was integrated with TanDEM-X using ArcGIS and SURFER for the delimitation of maritime boundaries. The reliability assessment illustrated a significant improvement in the continuation of 201 maritime basepoints in comparison to the 95 maritime basepoints by the DSMM. In conclusion, the proposed approach has shown a continuous, consistent, and wider establishment of the country's maritime baseline for the Peninsular Malaysia region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the vast intensification of 'draft-dodging' by looking at changes in attitudes towards the border and masculinity. Based on interviews conducted in 2011 and content analysis of newspaper coverage of military service and 'draft-dodging' in Cyprus between 2011 and 2019, this study shows that draft-dodging can intensify in the context of changing discourses on borders and masculinity. In particular, the opening of internal borders, the enlargement of borders to the European Union, and the shifting of the locus point of the conflict from inland to the maritime boundaries are the three border changes in Cyprus that contributed to draft evasion. Moreover, the emerging 'Euro-Cypriot' hegemonic masculinity maintains a weak relationship with the military. Through the case study of Cyprus, this article illustrates that paying attention to changing notions of border-related security and the reconfigured hegemonic masculinity will shed light on the model of public security and offer implications for draft evasion. The findings from post-conflict Cyprus can help understand draft evasion in Western and post-conflict societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of LHB: Hydroscience Journal is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT This policy brief delves into the procedures surrounding maritime zone disputes under UNCLOS and assesses their efficacy in settling prolonged maritime disputes that involve straddling natural resources and livelihoods in the context of Kenya–Somalia. Given the rise in maritime border disputes across Africa, the brief further examines the use of joint development agreements (JDAs) as a temporary measure for resolving such disputes. It analyzes the challenges associated with using JDAs to address maritime boundary delimitations, their impact on peace and security, and their relationship with local contexts, particularly concerning straddling natural resources and livelihoods. Ultimately, the brief aims to offer practical recommendations for resolving prolonged maritime disputes between neighboring states in Africa, with an emphasis on Kenya and Somalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to analyze the potential of fisheries resources in the Fisheries Management Area of the Republic of Indonesia, the Malacca Strait, the causes of foreign fishing vessels fishing in these waters, and efforts to reduce illegal fishing by foreign fishing vessels. The research uses qualitative methods by collecting data through interviews, questionnaires and observations. The research results show an increase in the potential of Indonesian fisheries resources in the Malacca Strait in terms of catch volume, production value and number of fishing vessels. The reasons why foreign fishing vessels are still fishing include the lack of fisheries resources in their countries of origin, ignorance of Indonesia's maritime boundaries, and weak supervision. Efforts to reduce illegal fishing include improving the quality of monitoring vessels, routine surveillance patrols, tightening licensing and vessel monitoring procedures, as well as arresting foreign vessels that engage in illegal fishing. Based on the SWOT analysis, there are 18 strategies for monitoring foreign fishing vessels. It is necessary to increase routine supervision and take firm action against foreign fishing vessels that carry out illegal fishing in the Malacca Strait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South China Sea (SCS), one of the world's most important fishing areas, faces a looming fishing crisis. This impending catastrophe is chiefly driven by rampant overfishing and illegal activities, intensified by escalating maritime conflicts. Current research predominantly fixates on maritime territorial and sovereignty disputes, typically emphasizing the state's primary or exclusive role in the SCS fishery governance. The state centric approach, however, overlooks the integral role of substate entities. This research introduces a new dimension to the discussion, highlighting the pivotal role of subnational governments in China with an in-depth case study on the Hainan provincial government. Utilising the fragmented authoritarianism framework and through a comprehensive analysis of central and local policy documents, news reports, and academic articles, this research discerns Hainan's significant but understudied role in contributing to the SCS fishery crisis. Hainan's impact on SCS fisheries is particularly manifest in three key areas: the advocacy for outward expansion of marine fisheries, the endorsement of Hainan's Giant Clam Handicraft sectors, and the securitization of its fishing fleet in the South China Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our increasingly globalized world, Transnational Maritime Environmental Crimes (TMEC) have become a major concern for international law and policymakers due to their significant and often uncertain impacts. The vast and complex nature of maritime spaces poses unique challenges to global conservation efforts, complicating the harmonization of international laws and policies. These challenges are compounded by the diverse and evolving nature of maritime crimes, which include illegal fishing, marine pollution, flora and fauna trafficking, ecocide, vandalism of underwater infrastructure, underwater cultural heritage trafficking, and unsustainable marine tourism (Bueger and Edmunds, 2020). Addressing TMEC effectively requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, recognizing these crimes at international, regional, and domestic levels through robust regulatory and adaptive policy frameworks. TMECs are not only diverse in their manifestations but also transnational with criminal activities crossing national borders and exploiting the vastness of international waters. The movement between state borders and international waters complicates law enforcement efforts, as actors involved in TMEC frequently exploit these jurisdictional complexities to carry out their illegal activities with relative impunity. Respecting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’s (UNCLOS) intent for freedom of navigation on the high seas, effective responses to TMEC require international alignment, strong political will, and coordinated efforts across borders (United Nations, 1982). This need for coordinated global action is further underscored by global challenges such as the Coronavirus pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19), maritime boundary disputes, and climate change, all of which exacerbate the potential harm of TMEC, particularly for low- and middle income countries and small island developing states in the Global South. Despite growing awareness of the severity of these crimes, law enforcement efforts are often outmatched by the sophistication and stealth of organized criminal syndicates involved in TMEC. These criminal networks are highly adaptable, using advanced technologies and complex logistical networks to evade detection, arrest and prosecution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) plays a pivotal role in international maritime law, providing a comprehensive framework for the settlement of disputes related to sea and ocean spaces. This systematic review explores Part XV of UNCLOS, dedicated to the ‘Settlement of Disputes,' and delves into the mechanisms outlined in Articles 279 to 299 for resolving maritime conflicts. The study relies on a thorough review of published materials from 1994 to 2023, encompassing monographs, reviews, research papers, case studies, and conference papers available in the Scopus database. The review scrutinises the dispute resolution mechanisms available in UNCLOS. It explores the perspectives of the international legal community, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting how major powers leverage UNCLOS to critique maritime claims. Practical challenges faced by states litigating against major powers and the need for cautious interpretation are discussed. The study underscores the ongoing discourse about UNCLOS’ role in navigating ocean governance complexities and highlights the importance of continuous exploration and refinement of dispute resolution mechanisms, call for supplementary legal mechanisms, particularly the role of Global Power countries and regional context of maritime regions pose demand for further initiatives for achieving sustainable ocean governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines Vietnam's maritime governance capacity and its challenges in dealing with gray zone conflicts, particularly its overlapping EEZ claims with Indonesia. It emphasizes the need for a decisive strategy to address these conflicts and highlights Indonesia's efforts to establish effective occupancy in contested waters. The text also discusses the development of civilian ships and maritime governance strategies in Southeast Asian countries in response to China's actions in the South China Sea. It suggests that Vietnam should prioritize the establishment of a gray zone conflict strategy and learn from Indonesia's response to similar challenges. [Extracted from the article]

The legal systems for ocean governance and climate change governance are based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, respectively. However, due to differences in their negotiation backgrounds, legal scope, goals, and tasks, there is a lack of interaction between the two at the legal system level. The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate system, yet its value is often underestimated in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in addressing climate change. Specifically, we will examine the Convention's ability to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and identify areas where it falls short, such as inadequate regulation of sea level rise, ocean acidification, and ocean fertilization. Based on this, proposals for governance paths from the perspective of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea include developing the Agreement relating to the climate change and ocean governance and reinterpreting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in accordance with the Paris Agreement. The content should be adapted more flexibly to current climate change challenges, and provisions related to sea level rise and maritime boundaries should be reinterpreted to fill legal gaps. In addition, it is important to establish coordinated regulatory rules and framework agreements to address the issues of ocean fertilization and ocean acidification. Finally, to remedy the shortcomings in proving causation, scientific theories and due diligence obligations should be attributed. Through these measures, effective ocean law governance paths that address climate change can be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers some recent jurisprudence in maritime boundary delimitation that results in the creation of ‘grey areas’. Such grey areas have generated uncertainty in practice, specifically concerning claims to entitlements and the rights that States may exercise in such areas. The article reviews the two Bay of Bengal cases (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea 2012 and the Annex VII Tribunal 2014) and two cases before the International Court of Justice (Somalia v. Kenya 2021; Nicaragua v. Colombia 2023), indicating the need for delimitation of maritime areas and legal rights to reflect the ‘physical reality at the time of delimitation’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the escalating conflict in the Red Sea, focusing on the role of great-power actors, particularly the United States, China, and Russia, in the ongoing maritime security crisis. Since October 2023, there have been over 124 attacks on international shipping, primarily attributed to Houthi forces, which have disrupted global commerce and affected over 60 countries. The piece highlights the strategic importance of the Red Sea as a vital maritime chokepoint and examines how Iranian support for the Houthis exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. It also critiques China's transactional approach to the conflict and Russia's potential military involvement, emphasizing the need for a robust U.S. response to ensure regional stability and protect international shipping routes. [Extracted from the article]

This article analyzes ECS maritime disputes through two lenses: as a globally comparable case study mediated through LOS and as a distinct regional case that differs in several respects from disputes outside East Asia. This study focuses on the Senkaku/Diaoyu island dispute but also examines broader EEZ and ADIZ disputes between China, Japan, and South Korea and the Ieodo dispute between China and South Korea. It finds that global dynamics are applicable to the ECS disputes, as countries depend on LOS rules even while attempting to interpret them for unilateral advantage whenever possible, and parties avoid formal arbitration, when possible, in favor of bilateral agreements. However, regional factors impact these dynamics. The sudden and sometimes violent transition from the Sino-Centric tributary system to the Westphalian system has undermined the legitimacy of LOS and western international law regionally. Finally, the presence of China as a party to almost all ECS disputes limits the application of LOS because China's position as a near-peer competitor with the US gives it additional options to unilaterally impose its will. Unlike relatively weaker parties to these disputes, China may be less concerned about flouting LOS that it does not see as necessary for protecting its maritime claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South China Sea plays an important role in global geopolitical balances due to its rich energy resources and its location at the crossroads of strategic maritime trade routes. Security concerns in the region and the potential for conflict between various actors increase the geopolitical importance of the South China Sea. Disputes over maritime boundaries, sovereignty claims and a growing military presence in the region make the South China Sea a potential security threat and conflict zone. This situation, especially between the United States and China, makes the competition an important dynamic that shapes security and stability in the region. China is fueling a sovereignty struggle in the region with its claims to islands and maritime territories in the South China Sea. The construction of artificial islands and the establishment of military bases are seen as part of China's strategy to strengthen its maritime claims. While these moves demonstrate China's rise as a maritime power in the region, they deeply affect the balance of power in the region. Moreover, this situation challenges the US policy of ensuring regional security. China's growing influence highlights not only its claims to regional maritime boundaries, but also violations of international law and potential regional instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa's oceans and seas and their resources are crucial for the economic and food security of Coastal States and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). However, sustaining these contributions is undermined by depleting resources and other security threats at sea. Given the transboundary nature of oceans resources and the threats that pervade them, maritime boundary disputes further complicate the situation, by making maritime security cooperation difficult for African countries, especially against illegal fishing. Our transdisciplinary paper draws evidence from legal, security, and development literature, policy documents, and expert insights to highlight the impact of maritime boundary disputes on maritime cooperation and security. Our argument is threefold: first, the principle of uti possidetis juris has resulted in artificial boundaries, propelling maritime boundary tensions and, arguably, in some cases, inflaming them. Second, delimitation exercises, often the outcome of applying the uti possidetis juris principle, limit opportunities for cooperation in managing shared resources and security. Third, irrespective of boundary disputes, the ambulatory nature of fish forces fishers to encroach into neighbouring waters. This paper concludes that addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach to oceans governance, acknowledging the transboundary nature of threats and promoting joint management arrangements as a mechanism for settling boundary disputes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for hitherto undiscovered larvae of Anisakis sp. from marine habitat in the Indian sub-continent yielded A. typica (Dujardin) larvae hitherto unconfirmed. The present study is the maiden attempt to report 3rd stage larvae of A. typica from the reef-associated Sillago sihama in Arabian Sea off the coast of Goa, which has been identified recently as reef-populated area within the maritime boundary of India. The morphometry of 3rd stage larvae has been presented with a record of molecular characterization. In the context of current study, the natural prevalence of A. typica larvae in marine piscine hosts of Arabian Sea in India was 6.84 % and of co-occurring Rotundocollarette capoori (Yadav, Kapoor and Malhotra) in the same fish was 13.65 %. The roundworms were confirmed to be A. typica by application of the molecular and genetic characterization based on ITS1, ITS2 and 18S rDNA sequence analysis. The infestation of reef-associated fishes in this study by anisakid worms study provided an opportunity to explore mechanism of ecological associations of coral reefs with parasitization in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper estuarine forested wetlands (UEFWs) play an important role in the sequestration of atmospheric carbon (C), which is facilitated by their position at the boundary of terrestrial and maritime environments but threatened by sea level rise. This study assessed the change in aboveground C stocks along the estuarine–riverine hydrogeomorphic gradient spanning salt-impacted freshwater tidal forested wetlands to freshwater forested wetlands in seasonally tidal and nontidal landscape positions. Standing stocks of C in forested wetlands were measured along two major coastal river systems, the Winyah Bay in South Carolina and the Savannah River in Georgia (USA), replicating and expanding a previous study to allow the assessment of change over time. Aboveground C stocks on these systems averaged 172.9 Mg C ha−1, comparable to those found in UEFWs across the globe and distinct from the terrestrial forested ecosystems they are often considered to be a part of during large-scale C inventory efforts. Groundwater salinity conditions as low as 1.3 ppt were observed in conjunction with losses of aboveground C. When viewed in context alongside expected sea level rise and corresponding saltwater intrusion estimates, these data suggest a marked decrease in aboveground C stocks in forested wetlands situated in and around tidal estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on climate change in the maritime transport industry has grown rapidly in the last few years. Yet as the research agenda has progressed, scientific debates have become more isolated and fragmented, making it difficult to translate new findings into broader policy debates. This article draws on problematization methodology to help organize the scientific debate on maritime emissions and to identify analytical gaps and challenges. We argue that scholars investigate shipping's emission problem from four distinct analytical perspectives— (1) international laws and regulations, (2) markets and economics, (3) engineering and technology, and (4) authority and legitimacy. Each of these perspectives problematizes maritime emissions in specific ways, leading to different policies and strategies to address the problem. We call for better integrating these four literatures and highlight three crosscutting areas and problems for future research. First, developing institutions that facilitate market and engineering solutions; second, integrating climate mitigation and adaptation research; and third, focusing on justice concerns to ensure an equitable green transition in the maritime industry. This article is categorized under:Climate, History, Society, Culture > Thought LeadersPolicy and Governance > International Policy FrameworkPolicy and Governance > Private Governance of Climate Change [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concepts, approaches and frameworks for assessing the impacts of climate change are evolving quickly. Due to their particular geographic location, proximity to oceans, concentration of populated regions, and infrastructure, coastal communities are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change. The present study aims to develop a thematic map based on the CID (climatic impact-drivers) framework proposed in the assessment report-6 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to evaluate the climate change’s physical hazards in the coastal districts of India. The study points out that West Bengal and Odisha are the two states with the highest cyclone hazard index values making them most vulnerable to cyclones. At the same time, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal respectively fall in the extremely severe category of flood, heatwave and shoreline change hazards. The maritime state of Gujarat along with Diu and Daman experiences maximum severity for the sea level rise hazard. The multi-hazards index developed in the study by considering 14 threshold-based CID indices showed that the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh has the highest proneness to the physical hazards due to climate change [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, marine governance advocates for ocean justice and, within it, the rights of coastal communities and indigenous people over the ocean space. Yet, international and state sea regimes strengthen border restrictions, impeding people's mobilities and fracturing the sea interconnectedness. Against this backdrop and delving into the empirical data gathered through ethnographical research, the paper examines the intangible and the material sea (im)mobilities experienced by the Creole Afro-Indigenous communities in the Corn Islands and the San Andres Archipelago in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea. Through the lens of critical ocean geography and mobility studies, it reveals how the maritime boundary regimes and the frameworks of oceans territoriality have impacted indigenous island spatialities in the Nicaraguan-Colombian marine border area for the last decades, disrupting family and social connections, weakening the communities' autonomy, and impeding food and provisions supply between the islands, thus threatening the indigenous rights with implications for ocean justice. The paper finally considers Creole Afro-Indigenous maritime activism's prominent role in decolonizing marine governance in the Greater Caribbean region, suggesting the relevance of laws, norms, structures and ocean governance institutions to acknowledge and incorporate these alternative legalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ted McDorman's scholarship had a focus on Canada/United States law of the sea relations ranging from the Arctic, to fisheries, islands, maritime boundaries, and dispute settlement. Using McDorman's frame of analysis, this article assesses Australian/New Zealand law of the sea relations relating to the Southern Ocean, fisheries, islands, maritime boundaries, marine environmental protection, and dispute settlement. Building on McDorman's Canada/United States scholarship, Australian/New Zealand relations between close maritime neighbors with shared boundaries, culture, economies, and history are assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission Advisory Opinion, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea confirmed it possessed the jurisdiction to deliver an advisory opinion upon the request of as few as two states. This essay considers what this might mean, as the implications of this jurisdiction are significant, in terms of both the law of the sea generally, and the potential impact for the operation of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. These implications were magnified after the decision in Mauritius-Maldives Maritime Boundary Case (Preliminary Objections) which considered the status of an advisory opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea fog is a societally relevant phenomenon that occurs under the influence of specific oceanic and atmospheric conditions including aerosol conditions. The Yellow Sea region in China regularly experiences sea fog events, of varying intensity, that impact coastal regions and maritime activities. The occurrence and structure of fog are impacted by the concentration of aerosols in the air where the fog forms. Along with industrial development, air pollution has become a serious environmental problem in Northeastern China. These higher pollution levels are confirmed by various satellite remote sensing instruments including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Aqua satellite that observes aerosol and cloud properties. These observations show a clear influence of aerosol loading over the Yellow Sea region, which can impact regional sea fog. In this study, high-resolution data sets from MODIS Aqua L2 are used to investigate the relationships between cloud properties and aerosol features. Using a bi-variate comparison method, we find that, for most cases, larger values of COT (cloud optical thickness) are related to both a smaller DER (droplet effective radius) and higher CTH (cloud top height). However, in the cases where fog is thinner with many zero values in CTH, the larger COT is related to both a smaller DER and CTH. For fog cases where the aerosol type is dominated by smoke (e.g., confirmed fire activities in the East China Plain), the semi-direct effect is indicated and may play a role in determining fog structure such that a smaller DER corresponds with thinner fog and smaller COT values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the relationship between geopolitical factors and the strategic significance of the Chinese state´s territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The study examines this relationship through the influence of geopolitical factors on the configuration of Chinese national strategy. To do so, it turns to neoclassical realism, addressing the interactions between external pressures and intervening variables at the unit level. In doing so, it analyzes how geopolitical factors shaped Chinese leaders' perceptions of reality and their impact on their interpretation of certain events, such as the 1995 Taiwan Strait Crisis and the entry into force of the unclos. The study argues that these events were perceived as threats to China and helped shape national strategy in maritime terms. As a result, China developed its naval power to control the South China Sea and establish its sphere of influence in order to become the hegemonic regional power. All of this meant the increase of its presence and assertiveness in the region, which proves the importance of its territorial disputes in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic, deeply affected by climate change, is experiencing a shrinking cryosphere in the Arctic Circle, seen by polar states as an economic and strategic opportunity. Although this "normality" has generated geopolitical challenges in the region, marked by cooperation since the Cold War, it is now transformed into conflict. Russia and Western states intensify military operations, accusing each other of military escalation. However, an underestimated aspect is the geopolitical assessment of melting ice and sea level rise, especially its impact on the low tide line and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (unclos) regulations. This article discusses the results of sea level rise on the territorial and geopolitical aspects of the Arctic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the topic of borders in the international system of the 21st century, highlighting their importance in the creation and development of nation-states and in international relations. It also mentions exceptions to state sovereignty, such as Antarctica and international waters. The article is divided into three sections that analyze borders from different perspectives, such as regionalism and border control in relation to international migration. Additionally, other topics are mentioned, such as the impact of climate change on maritime delimitations in the Arctic, China's territorial disputes in the South China Sea, border disputes between India and China, hybrid governance in the border area between Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, and the secessionist movement of contemporary maroons in Jamaica and its relationship with the Jamaican state. [Extracted from the article]

Article 58 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) addresses the rights and obligations of States in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of other States. It guarantees third-party States the freedom of navigation, the laying of submarine cables and pipelines, and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to these activities. However, these rights must be exercised in accordance with the laws and regulations of the coastal State and the UNCLOS itself. The jurisprudential analysis of this article reveals various interpretations, often influenced by distinct national contexts and interests. Disputes related to the EEZ mainly focus on issues of maritime delimitation, the exploitation of natural resources, and the protection of the marine environment. West African countries, rich in marine resources, have diverse positions depending on their economic, security, and environmental interests. Some favor a strict application of their sovereign rights to maximize economic benefits and resource sustainability, while others advocate for regional cooperation to manage potential conflicts and strengthen maritime security. In summary, Article 58 of UNCLOS is essential for balancing the interests of coastal States and third-party States in the EEZ while allowing for the harmonious management of maritime resources and maritime security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palestine currently holds contractual relations with 167 States under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. UNCLOS's dispute settlement mechanisms might vary depending on the process States have opted for. In order to pick a preferred mechanism, a State Party should deposit a declaration with the UN Secretary-General. As it did not file any such declaration, Palestine is deemed to have accepted arbitration by default. However, Palestine can still deposit a declaration to choose other procedures and therefore open the possibility to resort to the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, or a special arbitration. Yet, the neighboring States have different approaches. While Egypt has cast opposition to arbitration regarding boundary delimitation, Israel is not a Party to UNCLOS and does not recognize its settlement mechanisms. How can disputes be resolved? Would conciliation work? What are exit channels? This article answers such questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the complex maritime boundary disputes between North and South Korea, with a focus on the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a critical yet contentious maritime boundary established after the Korean War. It analyzes North Korea's rejection of the NLL's legitimacy, citing sovereignty infringement, economic impacts, and foreign intervention, contrasting it with South Korea's assertion of the NLL as a pragmatic security buffer legitimized by estoppel and acquiescence in international law. The study further explores the principles of treaty effectiveness, acquiescence, and maritime delimitation, particularly the impact of small islands and proportionality. By scrutinizing these legal principles, this article aims to clarify the NLL's status within international law and its implications for regional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text provides an overview of the Arctic Council, its purpose, and its composition. It discusses the role of the Council in managing international relations, promoting environmental research, and incorporating the voices of Indigenous peoples in the Arctic region. The text also explores different theories of international relations and their application to the Arctic Council, as well as the challenges of including non-state actors in international institutions. It presents a lesson plan that involves a role-play simulation of an Arctic Council meeting to further explore these concepts. Additionally, the text discusses a hypothetical scenario in which China seeks full membership in the Arctic Council, encouraging students to research and debate the role of non-Arctic states in the region. The simulation exercise aims to develop students' research, presentation, and collaboration skills while deepening their understanding of geopolitics and international relations. [Extracted from the article]

The pursuit, arrest, and prosecution of vessels with foreign crew members involved in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUU Fishing) can disrupt relations between countries. The IUU Fishing perpetrators prosecuted in court originate from several countries that border Indonesia, such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. For example, 33 illegal foreign vessels have been successfully secured and detained as evidence, consisting of 15 Vietnamese-flagged vessels, 9 Philippine-flagged vessels, 8 Malaysian-flagged vessels, and 1 Taiwanese-flagged vessel. The above pursuit and arrests were processed judicially. This study aims to find a law enforcement action concept for the prosecution process against IUU Fishing perpetrators that does not disregard the principle of good relations between countries. Research with a normative juridical approach concludes that as a sovereign state, the legal settlement for foreign perpetrators uses the fishery prosecution process. This judicial process maintains the coastal state's rights without neglecting maritime diplomacy to maintain the principle of good relations between countries. Diplomacy is needed to build cooperation and ensure maritime areas in the country's border region are safe from IUU Fishing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Selcuk Law Review / Selçuk Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Selcuk Law Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores the legal and political consequences of the 2018 Timor Sea Compulsory Conciliation on Australia and Indonesia relations. The dispute over the Timor Sea, fueled by the desire for oil and gas resources, has historical roots and has shaped Australia-Timor-Leste and Indonesia-Timor-Leste relations. The Compulsory Conciliation process, conducted behind closed doors, led to significant outcomes. It recommended a new maritime boundary, primarily favoring Timor-Leste, and established a resource-sharing framework for the Greater Sunrise gas field. These findings, enshrined in a treaty, have far-reaching implications for international law and dispute resolution. The article assesses the impact on Australia's diplomacy, Indonesia's response, and the role of Timor-Leste in the post-Conciliation landscape. It explores prospects for cooperation and challenges in Australia-Indonesia relations. The Conciliation's significance lies in its lessons for international law adherence and peaceful resource management in contested waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, global climate change and the rapid melting of polar ice have dramatically transformed the Arctic landscape from a vast ice-covered area to a seasonally navigable sea. This accessibility has sparked increased commercial activity, posing a threat from various pollutants, particularly from vessel sources. Given China's profound interests in Arctic shipping, its involvement may face resistance from Arctic states, and therefore, it is important for China to ensure that its presence benefits local communities and states. This study explores China's role in shaping the international legal landscape to protect the Arctic from vessel-source pollutions. The intricate interplay between China's economic interests, maritime security concerns, and environmental commitments in the Arctic underscores China's potential role. By aligning with existing international legal structures, such as UNCLOS and MARPOL, China has already started to demonstrate its commitment to preserving the Arctic environment. This study assesses and discusses the potentially strategic importance of China's involvement in influencing legal regimes, offering a crucial contribution to global efforts to preserve this vital region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the historical maritime route between Zhangzhou and Manila during the 16th and 17th centuries, exploring the monsoon-driven commercial navigation in the South China Sea. It examines in detail the nautical terms and orientation methods used by Chinese sailors, as well as the units of time and distance employed in navigation. The route from Zhangzhou to Manila is reconstructed, analyzing various historical documents and maps, including the Dongxiyangkao and the Shunfeng xiangsong. Variations in the duration of the journey according to meteorological conditions are discussed, and descriptions of the route in different historical sources are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the adjudication of a maritime boundary dispute is usually a bilateral process, it is also often the case that third States have an interest in the delimitation to be carried out. Coupled with the potential for the delimitation decisions of courts and tribunals to impact their maritime claims or entitlements, this raises the concern that third State interests could be prejudiced by such a dispute settlement process, without their participation. While third-party intervention has been suggested as a possible means of recourse for such third States, this article argues that third States may, in practice, be hesitant of resorting to intervention. This is because attempts to intervene, whether successful or unsuccessful, are likely to entail the court or tribunal's eventual decision having some legally binding effects on the third State. Further, alternative options remain available to third States desirous of a platform to make their interests known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh, a littoral state of Bay of Bengal, has historically played a marginal role in regional and global politics. Despite being a maritime nation, the maritime considerations have been absent in the country's foreign policy formulation process. The article argues that the resolution of its maritime disputes with its neighbours has placed 'maritime considerations' in the heart of its foreign policy and the country has moved away from 'land-centric' regionalism to a more 'maritime-centric' regionalism over the past decade. This transformative shift represents the country's ambition to become a 'middle power' in regional and global affairs with a critical objective to achieve 'security pluralism' in the Bay of Bengal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forelock bolt was a ubiquitous joining technology employed by ancient shipwrights. Its systematic positioning in the Serçe Limanı ship (11th century CE) was the primary joining technology of its keelson-frames-keel assembly. This fact lends itself well to analyzing its engineering-technical properties, which were identical to those of modern bolts. The preload required to apply secure clamping force in the Serçe Limanı keelson-frames-keel backbone assemblage, was analyzed applying the physics of bolt technology. A structural Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was conducted on the bolt and, under laboratory conditions, was validated on a physical model. It was thus demonstrated that the bolt achieved the conditions needed to securely fasten the Serçe Limanı keel assemblage while serving as a means of efficient structural maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional maritime communication struggles to provide high data rate services for Internet of Things (IoT) devices due to the variability of maritime environments, making it challenging to ensure consistent connectivity for onboard sensors and devices. To resolve this, we perform mathematical modeling of the maritime channel and compare it with real measurement data. Through the modeled channel, we verify the received beam gain at buoys on the ocean surface. Additionally, leveraging the modeled wave motions, we estimate future angles of the buoy to use the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for design beamforming strategies that adapt to the evolving maritime environment over time. We further validate the effectiveness of these strategies by assessing the results from an outage probability perspective. focuses on improving maritime communication by developing a dynamic model of the maritime channel and implementing a Kalman filter-based buoy motion tracking system. This system is designed to enable precise beamforming, a technique used to direct communication signals more accurately. By improving beamforming, the aim is to enhance the quality of communication links, even in challenging maritime conditions like rough seas and varying sea states. In our simulations that consider realistic wave motions, you've observed significant improvements in link quality due to the enhanced beamforming technique. These improvements are particularly notable in environments with high sea states, where communication challenges are typically more pronounced. The progress made in this area is not just a technical achievement; it has broad implications for the future of maritime communication technologies. This paper promises to revolutionize the way we approach communication in maritime environments, paving the way for more reliable and efficient information exchange on the seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ship tracking and mapping capabilities that geospatial technology provides create an opportunity to observe fishing vessels as they move through established maritime boundaries. This paper connects data availability to ground-truthing research and explores the limits of vessel movement mapping in representing worker abuse at sea through three related themes. First, a conceptual background links the advancements in maritime remote sensing to critical GIS scholarship and provides a background on worker abuse aboard Taiwanese fishing vessels. Second, the paper examines the potential of machine learning algorithms to represent worker abuse at sea, arguing that more extensive ground-truthing research with workers could help address variations in the data and limited data sets. Third, I use remote sensing data to identify and unpack Taiwanese fishing across the three EEZs with the most concentrated Taiwanese fishing activity: starting with Taiwan, followed by the Falkland Islands, and Seychelles. I argue that fishing activity and the digital representation of vessel movements are governed by terrestrial geopolitics and subject to manipulation by ship captains. Finally, the conclusion offers recommendations for how future research can capitalize on the capabilities of AIS, particularly with respect to addressing problems of working conditions and abuse at sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the later sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the Mughal attempt at empire building in eastern India was challenged by the Pathan chieftains and the Hindu zamindars. Besides the Mughals, the Kingdom of Arakan tried to fish in troubled waters to establish a maritime presence in the littoral regions of Bay of Bengal. Pursuit of a sophisticated amphibious counterinsurgency strategy in tune with the ecological environment of the theatre of military operations enabled the Mughals to emerge victorious in the struggle for control of the Bay of Bengal's hinterland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the under-studied phenomenon of maritime borders by providing a civilian perspective on how fishers live, negotiate, contest, and transcend state borders and surveillance at sea. It explores the everyday transboundary practices of Chinese fishers in the geopolitically sensitive South China Sea (SCS), examining their cross-border tactics to sustain fishing livelihoods and the mechanisms underpinning these tactics. Based on long-term, continuous ethnographic investigations, we unravel four tactics employed by Chinese fishers to elude the constraints of territorial borders: contract production, trans-territorial production, paying for the sea, and the appropriation of marine physicality. These transboundary strategies are supported by three mechanisms, including common fisher identity, historical transnational networks, and regional development structures. This research shows the agency and creativity of fishers in challenging and punctuating maritime territoriality in the context of increasing militarisation and securitisation of borderlands. It illustrates how the distinct materiality, mobility, and temporality of the ocean can be weaponised by fishers to undermine state-bordering processes. By exposing the extensive, dynamic, and complex civilian interactions and collaborations in the region, we demonstrate that the SCS is more than a geopolitical space but at the same time a social site of cooperation and solidarity. In doing so, this research contributes to studies of maritime borders and civilian geopolitical subjectivity by illuminating the flexibility of fishers in exercising powers on borders at sea. It also advances the existing SCS area studies by 'peopling' the political geography of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]