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The Control of Microplastic Pollution in Semi-Closed Seas: Good-Faith Cooperation and Regional Practice
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This review examines the governance of microplastic pollution in semi-closed seas, analysing why existing international agreements have been inadequate and exploring how the UNCLOS semi-closed sea framework and the principle of good faith could facilitate regional cooperation. The authors propose legal and policy strategies for states bordering semi-enclosed seas to gradually control marine microplastic pollution through regional governance arrangements.
The impacts of microplastic (MP) pollution in the marine environment have already been illustrated by natural science. The issues resulting from MPs have revealed the problem of the current international governance arrangement, and international agreements are found to be inadequate to curb the growing MP pollution. This article explores reasons for the failure of governance cooperation from legal normativism and positivism. By analyzing the semi-closed sea system in the UNCLOS, this article concludes that the principle of good faith makes it possible to moderate geographic political tensions during cooperation and help reach an agreement on matters of mutual concern. Then, from the perspective of regional ocean governance, propose strategies for states bordering semi-enclosed seas and others to gradually control MP pollution in the marine environment through legal and policy measures.
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