New perspectives from the high seas

This paper seeks to analyse new perspectives on the high seas, in light of the international legal protection mechanism for this environment, with regard to the responsibility of States in cases of marine pollution. To this end, it begins with the contemporary evolution of international environmental law studies - fundamentally anchored in the principle of sustainable development - with an emphasis on the Montego Bay Convention, which innovated by presenting a holistic legal view of the sea. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate the weaknesses in the factual sphere regarding the accountability of polluting States on the high seas (many of which stem from gaps in international legislation), as well as to demonstrate the urgent need to establish a new parameter for governance of the high seas with integrated management and cooperation focused on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.