ABSTRACT
The South China Sea is a recognized world hub for marine biodiversity. However, the region’s precious coastal and marine habitat is degrading at an alarming rate due to human development. This chapter aims to take a stock of regional activities undertaken by coastal States in the South China Sea to fulfill their duty under international law to conserve the marine biodiversity of the South China Sea. It first provides an updated account of the status of the marine biodiversity of the South China Sea, and then lays out what the obligations under international law for its coastal States are in terms of conserving marine biodiversity. It also ascertains what has been done relating to marine conservation under the framework of most important regional mechanisms for regional cooperation in the South China Sea.
