MARISA Ethical, Legal and Societal Aspects

Abstract

The sea is an important source of both pleasure and prosperity that touches each of us in various ways. It plays a substantial part in climate regulation, oxygen production and is hugely important for the well-being of the planet’s ecosystem. From a societal perspective, its role expands from recreational activities such as swimming, sailing and relaxation to economical ones such as energy production, aquaculture, fisheries, sea-related tourism and shipping. In order to maintain a thriving society, it is thus of utmost importance that the seas are protected from illicit and destructive activities, be it ecosystem destruction or safety-related concerns such as the transport of illegal goods, other black-market activities, human trafficking, irregular migration, or emergencies taking place at sea.