Arctic Fisheries and International Law: Gaps and Options to Address Them
Molenaar, Erik J
Global climate change has led to decreasing sea-ice coverage in the marine Arctic. This may facilitate an intensification of fishing in existing fishing areas as well as a fisheries expansion into new areas. This article provides an overview of the current international law relating to Arctic fisheries, identifies gaps therein that have become apparent due to climate change, and examines potential options to address some of these gaps. Particular attention is devoted to potential options for the international regulation of Arctic Ocean fisheries, whether through the Arctic Council, the Arctic Council System or by means of a stand-alone negotiation-process culminating in a stand-alone instrument on the (Central) Arctic Ocean.