An assessment on the link between maritime security and the marine environment

Maritime security is a term that refers to the control and protection to the sea and sea users. The threats at sea which are increasing daily are the reasons why maritime security is being given more attention during these years. At the same time, these threats negatively affect the marine environment as well. As a result, there are many international laws adopted with the purpose of tackling the issue. The aim of this thesis is to determine the common threats and analyse the link between maritime security and the marine environment, hoping to determine whether such a link exists between these two terms and how do they synchronize with each other. Other aim is to determine how does maritime security provides protection to the marine environment. Another significance for this study is because there has not so many attempts to explore the link between these two. This is because even though these two terms are in a different area to each other, it is important to determine their link as both areas face the same threats. Additionally, both of them are threatened not only by traditional threats (terrorism, piracy, etc.), but also by emerging new threats (climate change). For this study, empirical qualitative method was applied that involved the analysis of not only primary sources, but secondary sources as well. The available international laws such as the: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Convention), Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Maritime Navigation, 1988 (SUA Convention) and the United Convention of the Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS) are examined in order to understand the link between them. Other sources such as states' practices, case law, etc. are also being examined thoroughly. The finding of this study shows that there is indeed a link between maritime security and marine environment. This study may also suggest that there should be deeper cross-disciplinary research on these two areas in order to effectively mitigate the threats on both maritime security and the marine environment.