ABSTRACT
The Southern Ocean is defined by the Antarctic Convergence, which is found between 50-60 degrees south latitude except in the Western Indian Ocean where the Convergence extends to 45 degrees south latitude. The boundary that separates Antarctic management from the management of oceans elsewhere is 60 degrees south latitude (the ‘Antarctic maritime area’). The primary conventions governing the Antarctic are the International Whaling Convention (IWC), the Antarctic Treaty (AT), the LOSC, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The primary conventions that apply only to the Southern Ocean are as follows: The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS), the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) under the Convention on the Protection of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). The Arctic is defined as areas north of the Arctic Circle (66.5 degrees north latitude) or areas where the average temperature in the warmest month (July) is below 10?C. The Arctic is bordered by five coastal states (Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the United States), and three non-coastal states (Finland, Iceland and Sweden). In addition, the ‘near-Arctic’ states (China, European Union, Japan and Korea) have interests in the Arctic but no territory above the Arctic Circle. No specific international treaty regime governs the Arctic, and the Arctic is not specifically referenced in the LOSC. The Arctic Council (founded by the eight Arctic coastal and non-coastal states) promotes cooperation, coordination and interaction among member states and indigenous communities on common Arctic issues including sustainable development and environmental protection. The Arctic Council has no independent legal powers.
