Maritime Conflicts and Ocean Governance

Dr. Sybille Reinke de Buitrago, Dr. Patricia Schneider

(c) Brill Nijhoff

In interstate and international interaction, norm breaking is a frequent occurrence and cause of conflict. In their latest publication in the international journal "Global Governance. A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations" Dr. Sybille Reinke de Buitrago and Dr. Patricia Schneider discuss how to deal with such behavior when it occurs in maritime space. They refer to the concepts Ocean Governance as well as Hybridity. The particularities of distinct maritime spaces and their level of regulation provide distinct opportunities. States may then take a hybrid approach by taking into account international law in more regulated areas, but seeking alternatives in less regulated ones. To discourage norm breaking and to promote cooperative approaches toward shared challenges in maritime space, stronger ocean governance that considers hybridity seems important. The article discusses these aspects in the three cases of the Arctic, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean and derives first lessons for strengthened ocean governance.

Sybille Reinke de Buitrago & Patricia Schneider: Ocean Governance and Hybridity: Dynamics in the Arctic, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. In: Global Governance. A review of Multilateralism and International Organizations, Vol. 26, 1/ 2020, pp. 154-175, Brill.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1163/19426720-02601004