What laws govern the sea? (Secondary) - Lesson Four

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 11th,12th Grade

Introduction

Lesson 4 – What laws apply to how fishing vessels operate? This lesson covers introduces maritime laws, ships registries, Learning activities:  Research the local ships registry and flag state requirements as they pertain to commercial fishing vessels.  Review local marine laws and identify the key areas they cover.

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2022

Lesson 4 - What laws apply to how fishing vessels operate?

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. 

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Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.

NAUTICAL LAWS

• Ships condition
• Registry of vessels
• Flag State
• Marine laws
• Transport of slaves

This lesson we will focus on nautical laws, those that apply to vessels.  This includes:
    Ships condition
    Registration of vessels
    Flag State
    Marine laws
    Human trafficking

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Ships registry and flag sate

High Seas provisions Article 91, Nationality of ships, describes for states the conditions for granting its nationality to ships, giving a vessel the right to fly that country’s flag.  Ships can only fly one flag at the time.
Countries must maintain a register of ships that are flying it’s flag.  
Ships are bound by the requirements of their flag state, This includes the seaworthiness of the ship, crew training and conditions and maintenance of communication.
Ships that fail to meet the requirements of their flag state can be deregistered by that country.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Vessel ownership

During a voyage, including at ports of call, ships must not change their flag state, unless required by change of ownership.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Maritime laws

Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is a body of laws, conventions, and treaties that govern private maritime business and other nautical matters, such as shipping or offenses occurring on open water. International rules, governing the oceans and seas, are known as the Law of the Sea. Each country is responsible as a flag state to implement these maritime laws.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Slavery

Article 99 requires flag states to take effective measures to prevent and punish the transport of slaves in ships authorised to fly its flag.  This is also referred to as human trafficking.

This video (4.27 min) shows Sea Shepherd’s work in Tanzania to help protect their waters from illegal fishing and other crimes.  It shows cooperation between government agencies and how the crew are treated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Q00iciLuc&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDkZfN2nz9qqd8bVVLOGkkl&index=1

Next lesson we will look at the issue of illegal fishing.  This video (1.49 min) shows the focus of Interpol and some of the crimes taking place on the ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzJj10B6JVY

www.seashepherdglobal.org

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.