Marine Mammals

Marine mammals are species such as cetaceans, pinnipeds and sirenians, including whales, dolphins and seals. They are subject to the provisions of Articles 65 (which sets out the rights and duties of States in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ)) and 120 (which sets out the rights and duties of States in the high seas) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

Measures may include prohibition, limitation, or regulation of the exploitation of such species; the primary focus being on conservation measures rather than management measures. This extra protection for marine mammals is extended to the high seas under Article 120.

 

States are to co-operate in the conservation of marine mammals. Moreover, they are to work through the appropriate international organisations for the conservation, management and study of cetaceans (principally the International Whaling Commission (IWC)).

 

International organisations may limit or prohibit the exploitation of marine mammals, both within and beyond the EEZ (Articles 65 and 120). Marine mammals can be regulated more strictly by the coastal State of a competent organisation.

The United Kingdom, Australia and the USA have prohibited whaling in their 200-mile zones.