OTGA/DOALOS Course: Conduct of Marine Scientific Research under the UNCLOS

Oostende (Belgium)  A representative of IOM dr Kamila Mianowicz took part in the 5-day training course on Marine Scientific Research (MSR) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) held in UNESCO/IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) Project Office for IODE (International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange) on 6-10 May 2019. Dr Mianowicz was granted a scholarship funded by the Government of Flanders (Kingdom of Belgium) to attend the course.

Overall 24 participants from 17 countries discussed the legal framework of conducting the Marine Scientific Research in marine zones under and beyond national jurisdiction. The main objective of the course was to provide trainees with an overview of the legal, technical and scientific aspects of the MSR regime (with focus on consent procedures) in order to advance the participants’ knowledge of the rights and obligations of coastal and researching States. Several other aspects of MSR under UNCLOS were highlighted, incl. matters relating to the development and transfer of marine technology, consequences of a lack of definition of MSR, exercising the freedom of MSR and data management and sharing (licenses). Building a network of specialists and knowledge sharing among participants were facilitated by the course organizers.