United Nations Publications prepared by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs

Law of the Sea Publications

1) CONVENTION AND IMPLEMENTING AGREEMENTS

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA AND THE AGREEMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PART XI OF THE CONVENTION WITH INDEX AND EXCERPTS FROM THE FINAL ACT OF THE THIRD UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE LAW OF THE SEA
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.97.V.10 / Bod Law Library / Internat630U58.91v
This one-volume publication contains the official text of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, including nine Annexes thereto, and of the Agreement for the implementation of Part XI of the Convention. It contains also excerpts from the Final Act of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (1973-1982), namely resolutions I-IV and Annexes II and VI to the Final Act. The integrated and comprehensive index with references to the articles of both the Convention and the Agreement, as well as their annexes and above mentioned resolutions, provides an easy tool for researching all important terms and concepts of both instruments.
The Convention on the Law of the Sea is generally considered by the international community as the accepted legal norm for maritime conduct, a "constitution for the oceans" governing all ocean uses, exploitation of ocean resources and the protection of the marine environment.
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES INSTRUMENTS WITH INDEX
Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
(DOALOS/OLA, United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.98.V.11 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 F686a
*/ French and Spanish also available.
This publication, prepared jointly by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, of the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), contains the official texts of three important international fisheries instruments adopted in recent years under United Nations or FAO auspices. These texts are supplemented by introductory remarks providing the background information relating to the process of their negotiation and adoption, as well as by an integrated subject index.
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA WITH INDEX AND FINAL ACT OF THE THIRD UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE LAW OF THE SEA
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.83.V.5 / Bod Law Library / IN PROCESS
This one-volume publication contains the complete text of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea. It is followed by the Final Act, i.e., the official account, approved and signed by the participants in the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea - of the proceedings leading to the adoption of the Convention (1973-1982), as well as the four resolutions adopted by the Conference.
The Convention on the Law of the Sea is generally considered by the international community as the accepted legal norm for maritime conduct, a "constitution for the oceans" governing all ocean uses, exploitation of ocean resources and the protection of the marine environment. In addition to the full text of the Convention, the volume contains a comprehensive index to the articles of the Convention, its annexes and resolutions.
PRACTICE OF STATES AT THE TIME OF ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.94.V.13 / Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91q
The Convention on the Law of the Sea entered into force on 16 November 1994, more than 12 years after its adoption in 1982. This publication provides an account of the progress made during those 12 years in the implementation of the principles and rules embodied in the Convention. The publication provides an overview of the main trends and highlights of the practice of States, as well as the major global developments which transcend State practice at the national or regional levels. It also examines State practice at the regional level, covering respectively the AfricanStates, the Asian and SouthPacificStates, the European and NorthAmericanStates, and the Latin American and CaribbeanStates.
DECLARATIONS AND STATEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA AND TO THE AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PART XI OF THE CONVENTION
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.97.V.3 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91w
The publication contains all the declarations and statements made by States and entities with respect to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the Convention, as at 31 December 1996. It further contains an analysis of the content of such declarations according to subject matters they deal with, under three broad categories: (a) general declarations; (b) interpretative declarations; and (c) declarations relating to the settlement of disputes.
OBLIGATIONS OF STATES PARTIES UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA AND COMPLEMENTARY INSTRUMENTS
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.04.V.5 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58 91z
The publication contains a matrix identifying the obligations of States under UNCLOS and other instruments establishing the international standards, rules, regulations, practices and procedures referred to in the Convention, as part of ongoing efforts of the Division to provide assistance to States Parties in fulfilling all their obligations under UNCLOS. An annex listing the voluntary international instruments establishing international minimum requirements is also provided in the present study.

2) LEGISLATIVE HISTORIES

(organized in the order of the Parts of the Convention to which they apply)
Conservation and Utilization of the Living Resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone--Legislative History of Articles 61 and 62 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.95.V.21 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58 91t
The present study is devoted to the legislative history of articles 61 and 62 dealing respectively with conservation and utilization of the living resources in the zone. While the Convention has established the sovereign rights of the coastal State over the living resources of the exclusive economic zone in accordance with article 56, it has imposed a series of duties regarding their conservation and utilization.
Straits Used for International Navigation - Legislative History of Part III of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.91.V.14 Vol.I
E.92.V.14 Vol.II / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91i (1)
Internat 630 U58 91i (2)
The international community has long recognized the special value of straits used for international navigation as a means of linking one part of the oceans with another, with evident significance for global communication and trade. The following two volumes (divided into three parts) examine the evolution of the regime of transit passage for straits used for international navigation.
Part One (volume I) covers the work of the International Law Commission and the First United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. Part Two (volume I) contains statements of delegations, as well as proposals made in the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Seabed and the Ocean Floor beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction.
Part Three (volume II) contains a detailed study of the work of the Third United Nations Conference from its second to eleventh sessions. It illustrates how an informal proposal of the Private Group on Straits provided the basis for a compromise text which evolved into what is now Part III of the Convention.
Archipelagic States - Legislative History of Part IV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.90.V.2 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91e
The question of "archipelagos" was discussed in several academic intergovernmental forums after the turn of the century, mostly in connection with the question of baselines, however (until the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea) without conclusive results. This study focuses on the legislative history of articles 46 to 54 (Part IV) of the Convention - Part IV (archipelagic States). It examines the statements by delegations, proposals and other texts presented at the Third Conference in order to trace the evolution of the concept of archipelagos..
Please note related publication "Practice of Archipelagic States" in the sub-division below.
Exclusive Economic Zone. Legislative History of Articles 56, 58 and 59 (of Part V) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.92.V.8 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91m
This study is devoted to the legislative history of the three key articles: article 56, 58 and 59, which lay down the fundamental characteristics of the exclusive economic zone. These articles deal with the rights, jurisdiction and duties of the coastal State in the zone; rights and duties of other States in the zone; and the basis for the resolution of conflicts regarding the attribution of rights and jurisdiction in the zone.
Marine Scientific Research - Legislative History of Article 246 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.94.V.9 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91p
The study focuses on article 246 of Part XIII of the Convention which deals with the regime of consent for marine scientific research to be conducted in the exclusive economic zone and on the continental shelf, by a State other than the coastal State.
Navigation on the High Seas
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.89.V.2 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.9w
The study traces the legislative history of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part VII, Section 1, Articles 87, 89, 90, 94, 96 and 98 which address the main issues relating to navigation on the high seas. The study first reviews the historical background of the aforementioned articles prior to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea and then focuses on the their evolution in the light of the declarations, proposals and other relevant texts of the Conference.
Regime of Islands
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.87.V.11 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58 .9u
This study presents the legislative history of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part VIII (Regime of Islands). It consists of two parts: the first part focuses on the regime of islands as established by the Geneva Conventions on the Law of the Sea; the second part is devoted to the work in the Second Committee of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. This part presents, in chronological order, the discussions of the Conference on this subject and also contains the successive negotiating texts.
Rights of Access of Land-locked States to and from the Sea and Freedom of Transit
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.87.V.5 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.9v
"Land-locked States" are guaranteed the right of access to and from the sea. This publication examines the historical evolution of this right, taking into account previous instruments, declarations, proposals, negotiation texts and other relevant documents which led to the final text contained in the Convention.
Pollution by Dumping
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.85.V.12 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.9p
Ocean dumping - as the deliberate disposal of certain toxic, harmful, noxious or persistent substances and materials into the sea by or from ships, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures at sea - constitutes one of the major sources of pollution of the marine environment. This study traces the legislative history of those provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea which address the problems of the establishment of rules and standards to prevent pollution by dumping and of the enforcement of those rules and standards (article 1, paragraph 1 (5) and articles 210 and 216 of Part XII of the Convention).
The study describes the activities of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction and contains proposals, negotiating texts, amendments and other relevant documents of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.
Concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.96.V.3 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91u
The study is devoted to the legislative history of those articles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which deal directly with the concept of the common heritage of mankind (articles 133 to 150 and 311(6). As stated in the preamble of the Convention, one of its objectives is to develop the principles embodied in General Assembly resolution 2749 (XXV) of 17 December 1970, in which the Assembly declared that the area of the seabed and ocean floor and the subsoil thereof,beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, are the common heritage of mankind.
The study contains excerpts from the proceedings, as well as other materials, documents, negotiating texts, etc., of the First United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, the United Nations General Assembly, the Seabed Committee and of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.
Enforcement by Port States: Legislative History of Article 218 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
SALES NUMBER / Location
02.V.11 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91x
The present study is devoted to the legislative history of article 218, dealing with enforcement by port States of vessel-source pollution perpetrated outside the internal waters, the territorial sea or the exclusive economic zone of such States in violation of applicable international rules and standards established through the competent international organization or general diplomatic conference. This publication lays down the basic legal regime of a port State’s competence in respect of pollution control when a vessel is voluntarily within its port or at its offshore terminal.
Enforcement by Coastal States: Legislative History of Article 220 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
SALES NUMBER / Location
05.V.14 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91za
The present study is devoted to the legislative history of article 220 in part XII of the Convention, which establishes the enforcement powers exercisable by coastal States in areas under national jurisdiction in order to prevent, reduce, and control pollution from vessels.

3) NATIONAL LEGISLATION COVERING AREAS UNDERNATIONAL JURISDICTION

National Claims to Maritime Jurisdiction - Excerpts of Legislation and Table of Claims
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.91.V.15 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91g
The revision of national legislation, particularly those regulating the nature and breadth of marine areas subject to sovereignty or jurisdiction, was one of the most important consequences of the adoption of the Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982. This publication provides quick and convenient access to updated information on the status of national
legislation concerning maritime zones around the world. The tabulation is based on the maritime legislation of 145 coastal States which was available through the year 1990. The first part provides a table of claims: territorial sea, contiguous zone, fishery zone, and exclusive economic zone, while the second part reproduces relevant extracts of the test of those provisions.
Baselines - National Legislation with Illustrative Maps
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.89.V.10 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91c
Illustrates the practice of States in relation to the establishment of straight baselines, giving the relevant excerpts from national laws, which are organized in alphabetical order and illustrated by maps.
National Legislation on TerritorialSea, the Right of Innocent Passage and the Contiguous Zone
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.95.V.7 / Bod Law Library / Internat 7630 U58.91r
In examining the power of the coastal State in the territorial sea, it has sovereignty, it is essential to know that some limits can be imposed in line with the needs of international navigation. Carefully regulated, the right of innocent passage is one of the oldest concepts of international law. In the contiguous zone the coastal State can only exercise specific jurisdiction. This volume presents the legislation of coastal States covering both of these zones of jurisdiction. They are arranged alphabetically by country.
National Legislation on the Exclusive Economic Zone
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.93.V.10 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58n
The Convention on the Law of the Sea gives coastal States the right to establish an exclusive economic zone which may extend up to 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea is measured. This publication is a compilation of the national legislation of States on the exclusive economic zone, including declarations made at the time of ratification of the Convention as of 1992. The information presented is listed in alphabetically order by country.
National Legislation on the Continental Shelf
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.89.V.5 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.9z
A compilation of the national legislation of States on the continental shelf as of 1989. Most of this is based on the 1958 Geneva Convention.
The Regime for the High-seas Fisheries - Status and Prospects
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.92.V.12 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.91k
This survey of the present status of the regime relating to high-seas fisheries focuses on the legal, institutional and management aspects of problems that have arisen since the conclusion of the 1982 United Nations Conference of the Law of the Sea. It discusses means for promoting more effective implementations of the high-seas fisheries regime and proposes some guidelines.

4) PRACTICE OF STATES - STATE-TO-STATE RELATIONS AS INDICATED BY BILATERAL, REGIONAL AND MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS

MULTILATERAL TREATIES - A reference guide to multilateral treaties and other international instruments related to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Revised and updated as of 31 December 1996)
SALES NUMBER / Location
E.97.V.9 / Bod Law Library / Internat 630 U58.9o/1996
The publication complies for reference purposes a comprehensive list of multilateral treaties and instruments of a global or regional character organized according to the issues covered by the Convention for use by Governments as well as scholars and other experts in the area of the law of the sea. It contains the status of major multilateral conventions, protocols and other instruments relevant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, dating from 1945 to the present.