What laws govern the sea? (Secondary) - Lesson One
1 / 10
Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Lesson 1 – What international laws apply to the sea?
This lesson introduces the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, focusing initially on Part VII High Seas.
Learning activities:
Writing and discussion exercises on the convention, freedoms and obligations on vessels, and prohibited activities.
Instructions
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2022
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
This course looks at the laws of the sea. These laws impact all movement in the ocean, but we will focus on how it relates to the commercial fishing industry and illegal fishing activity.
The ocean covers 71% of this planet. Nearly 50% of the planet is classified as being international waters.
Ask students “What do think we mean by international waters?”
The ocean covers 71% of this planet. Nearly 50% of the planet is classified as being international waters.
Ask students “What do think we mean by international waters?”
Slide 4 - Slide
International waters are defined as ‘the areas of the sea that are not under the jurisdiction of any country’.
What laws apply to the seas?
Slide 5 - Mind map
Ask students: “What laws do you think apply to the seas?
Slide 6 - Slide
The ocean is covered by the ‘UN Convention on the Law of the Sea’ which was signed in December 1982, by agreement of over 160 countries.
Ask students “What do you think this convention might cover?”
Ask students “What do you think this convention might cover?”
Slide 7 - Slide
The UN convention covers a range of provisions including:
- Limits of and passage in territorial seas.
- Exclusive economic zones.
- Rules for merchant and government owned ships – commercial and non-commercial use.
- Passage through international waters, such as sea lanes.
- High seas provisions such as;
o No claim allowed
o Nationality of ships
o Right of passage
o Flag state rules
o Duty to render assistance
o Piracy
o Management of living resources in sea and marine mammals
o Protecting marine environment
o Pollution
o International cooperation
- Limits of and passage in territorial seas.
- Exclusive economic zones.
- Rules for merchant and government owned ships – commercial and non-commercial use.
- Passage through international waters, such as sea lanes.
- High seas provisions such as;
o No claim allowed
o Nationality of ships
o Right of passage
o Flag state rules
o Duty to render assistance
o Piracy
o Management of living resources in sea and marine mammals
o Protecting marine environment
o Pollution
o International cooperation
Slide 8 - Slide
Part VII High Seas Section 1 provisions of the Convention sets out the freedoms of the sea, rights of navigation and flag state provisions. Which is the right of every state to sail ships, flying its flag on the high seas. We will discuss more about flag states in a later lesson.
First, we are going to take a closer look at this section convention. Ask students to read this section. https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_convention.htm
First, we are going to take a closer look at this section convention. Ask students to read this section. https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_convention.htm
Slide 9 - Slide
This item has no instructions
Slide 10 - Slide
Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.
