Abstract

Adjacency, notwithstanding its status as a basis for generating maritime entitlements, has no place as a principle under the existing law of the sea. To endow it with such status in the negotiation of an agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) is likely to upset the delicate balance between the rights of coastal states and those of the international community, which is essential to the widespread acceptance of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This article argues that the access regime for marine genetic resources (MGRs) straddling the boundary between areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) and areas within national jurisdiction (AWNJ) should be location based, and adjacent coastal states should not be accorded preferential rights in the distribution of benefits. However, due regard should be paid to the rights and legitimate interests of adjacent coastal states when transboundary impacts may result from measures adopted for and activities conducted in ABNJ, including those that directly affect MGRs straddling the boundary between ABNJ and AWNJ. At the procedural level, coastal states should be allowed to participate, primarily through prior notification and consultation, in the adoption of area-based management tools (ABMTs) in ABNJ and the conduct of environmental impact assessment (EIA) with respect to activities therein.

摘要

尽管邻接权是产生海事权利的基础，但根据现行海洋法，邻接权就没有原则可言。在谈判中在国家管辖范围以外区域保护和可持续利用海洋生物多样性的协定中使其具有这种地位时，很可能破坏沿海国与国际社会的权利之间的微妙平衡，这对于广泛接受《联合国海洋法公约》（UNCLOS）至关重要。本文认为，跨越国家管辖范围以外的区域（ABNJ）与国家管辖范围内的区域（AWNJ）之间的边界的海洋遗传资源（MGR）的访问制度应基于地理位置，毗邻的沿海国家在利益分配中不应享有优先权。但是，如果在ABNJ采取的措施和开展的活动可能产生跨界影响，包括直接影响跨ABNJ和AWNJ边界的MGR的影响，则应适当考虑邻近沿海国家的权利和合法利益。在程序一级，应允许沿海国主要通过事先通知和协商参与在ABNJ中采用基于区域的管理工具（ABMT）并就其中的活动进行环境影响评估（EIA）。如果在ABNJ采取的措施和开展的活动可能产生跨界影响，包括直接影响跨ABNJ和AWNJ边界的MGR的影响，则应适当考虑邻近沿海国家的权利和合法利益。在程序一级，应允许沿海国主要通过事先通知和协商参与在ABNJ中采用基于区域的管理工具（ABMT）并就其中的活动进行环境影响评估（EIA）。如果在ABNJ采取的措施和开展的活动可能产生跨界影响，包括直接影响跨ABNJ和AWNJ边界的MGR的影响，则应适当考虑邻近沿海国家的权利和合法利益。在程序一级，应允许沿海国主要通过事先通知和协商参与在ABNJ中采用基于区域的管理工具（ABMT）并就其中的活动进行环境影响评估（EIA）。