REGULATION OF SEAS

Abstract

The development of law of seas culminates out of usages in customary law. These usages until half of the 20th century laid a regime of lassies faire and non-regulation, where the concept of open seas was accepted globally, with only one exception to the territorial waters of the nations. However, as economy boomed in the light of industrial revolutions of the 20th century nations wanted to protect their interests in geopolitics, as well as, economics point of view. Hence, cropped in various objects and contradictions. There was a call to raise these matters in a forum common to all, to resolve the maritime conflicts. Accordingly, the International Law Commission was approached in the year 1949 to settle the same.
The International Law Commission made various drafts on the issue and to discuss the same, the first Conference on Law of Seas took place at the United Nations in the year 1958. The Law of the Seas aims to provide a set of governing rules to regulate the usage of waters of seas, its resources and incidentals. The aim was to establish a set of norms that is agreed universally by all nations, without raising any future objections, and to prevent any disputes that may arise from ordinary usages. The law of seas provides for the rights and obligations in fishing rights, wreckage in seas, protection of heritage and culture, protection of marine environment and settle any disputes that arise.