New Technology and the Protection of the Marine Environment

Woker, Hilde J.; Roland Holst, Rozemarijn J.; Harden-Davies, Harriet

Abstract

This chapter focusses on the multifaceted relationship between new technology, the protection of the marine environment, and law. It identifies four categories to classify and analyse this relationship: (1) new technologies for marine resource exploitation; (2) new technologies intended to mitigate environmental harm; (3) new technologies that enhance scientific knowledge; and (4) new technologies for monitoring and enforcement. Next, three cross-cutting themes are identified that characterise the different ways in which new technology facilitates, improves, and challenges the protection of the marine environment and how this relationship is mediated by law. First, it entails a balancing act which depends on a multitude of variables. Secondly, technological advancements may challenge the adequacy of the applicable legal framework. The third and final cross-cutting theme relates to the range of actors and interests involved and raises questions of who uses (new) technology, who benefits, and who carries the burdens and risks.

• Online Publication Date: Apr 14, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Nov 10, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 15, 2023
• Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
• Pages: 409-427
• Series Title: Research Handbooks in Environmental Law
• Edition: Second Edition
• Book Title: Research Handbook on International Marine Environmental Law
• Chapter Number: 18
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789909081.00028
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1619771
• Contract Date: Apr 25, 2022