国际海底区域内区域环境管理计划的法律地位

The Legal Status of Regional Environmental Management Plans in the International Seabed Area

区域环境管理计划是国际海底管理局(以下简称“管理局”)所采取的,保护海洋环境免受国际海底国际海底区域内活动可能有害影响的措施。区域环境管理计划必须在海洋环境保护和资源开发利用之间保持平衡。“无区域环境管理计划,无开发活动”应当作为一般原则被遵守,并保持例外灵活性。制订区域环境管理计划不是管理局的义务,或者至少不是结果义务而只是一项行为义务。区域环境管理计划都应具有法律拘束力,而且每一项区域环境管理计划只对其覆盖的特定区域内的行为者具有拘束力。

Regional environmental management plans(hereinafter“REMPs”)are taken by the International Seabed Authority(hereinafter“the Authority”)as measures to protect marine environment from harmful effects which may arise from activities in the international Seabed Area.It is important for REMPs to keep balance between protection of marine environment and utilization of resources.As a general principle,“no REMPs,no exploitation”should be observed.Meanwhile,exceptions should be allowed to this principle for maintaining flexibility.It is not appropriate to impose an obligation on the Authority to establish REMPs.Even if the Authority is imposed an obligation to establish REMPs,this obligation can only be obligation of conduct rather than obligation of result.In addition,REMPs should be legal binding,and each REMP should only be legal binding on all participants of the specific region.