A Study on International Disputes with Korean Distant-Water Sea Fisheries

한국의 원양어업관련 국제분쟁 사례연구

The primary objective of this thesis is to study, case by case, the international disputes for fishing rights between fishing nations and costal states never imagined till the introduction of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea adopted in 1982 and came into effect in November 16, 1994, which governs the high seas and EEZ in a new manner. Such a study is to provide help in the understanding on this new marine system and how to deal with. This is addressed by the perspectives of disputes (a) in the high seas between fishing nations having traditionally enjoyed the principle of the freedom of the high seas and costal states, (b) in the EEZ between fishing nations and costal states possessing the exclusive jurisdiction over living marine resources and sovereign rights for determining allowable catch and the surplus in its EEZ. The article can be divided into four main parts. First, both the general principles of the settlement of international disputes, and the nature and procedures described in the UNCLOS are introduced. Second, it gives cases of tuna long-liner, North Pacific trawler and squid jigger occurred in the coastal states EEZ, and analyses the problem in both terms of its background and final judgment. It further describes the possible issues in case it depends on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for its settlement. Third, closely tied to above, important points such as the right of hot pursuit, prompt release of vessel and crew, and the limits of cooperation with costal states inspector on board fishing vessels are considered mostly based on the UNCLOS, Bilateral Agreement and UNIA. Finally, the article concludes as follows ; The need for broad analyses on the nature of international suits and legal system for the settlement, to win the case before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or coastal states court, is really acknowledged. However, considering the lack of previous studies about it, it is preferably recommended that governmental efforts for making legal standards to cover the judicial costs, for helping industry out of becoming bankrupt.