Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment as a Goal for Achieving Sustainable Development on the Rio+20 Agenda

Abstract

Abstract The United Nations Convention on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro between 20 and 22 June 2012, represented an excellent opportunity for learning the current state of the international community’s commitment to sustainable development. Undoubtedly, without sustainable seas and oceans it is impossible to talk about sustainability on our planet. Seas and oceans enjoy a privileged position within the global ecosystem as they represent 72% of the Earth’s surface area, accounting for 90% of the habitat of all life, and are a major source of economic, social and environmental resources. Hence the special interest in an effective protection of the global marine ecosystem, which is gravely threatened by a variety of factors, of which illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is one. The present article will be divided into two parts. The first of these will study the goal of protecting the marine environment as part of the Rio+20 agenda, whilst the second will analyse illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing from a legal point of view, with particular attention being paid to the most significant challenges presented by this global scourge.