Coastal Zones

Biography

Biography: Seyed Ziaeddin Madani

Abstract

Today, majority of States have developed a national ocean policy. This is particularly the case of States with a considerable surrounding marine area and/or sufficient infrastucture to utilise oceans’ benefits. Iran despite the significant benefits attached to it and the possibility of easy access to high seas yet failed to develop a National Ocean Policy. A national ocean policy is initially an instrument that recognises the key role of sea and ocean, coastal zones and their ecosystems in national economy, security, culture, health, welfare as well as wellbeing of each and every persons therein and tends to promote the said role in a national context. Such instrument also functions with the aim to elate public awareness vis-à-vis benefits and advantages oceans may bring along for them in order to be wisely and consciously utilised based on up-to-date science and reseach mechanisms. A national ocean policy instrument also entails contents pertaining to protection and preservation of natural resources and marine habitats of the State’s sorrounding and accessible waters for the sustainable use of current and future generations. Ocean and marine activities in a national ocean policy vary based on the vast and diverse usages of all types of body of water. This paper while intends to examine the necessities, dimensions and considerations to develop and codify an Iranian National Ocean Policy, devises the principles and constituents seem needful to be envisaged therein with a legal and policy perspective.