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1. South China Sea: Core Interest Extraordinaire

Author:
Martin A Sebastian
Publication Date:
07-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
China's powerful Central Military Commission has approved the formal establishment of a military garrison for the disputed South China Sea, the state media has announced, a move which could further boost tensions in already fractious region. This news comes after China established the city of Sansha, on 21 June as a rhetoric to Vietnam's Maritime Law announcement on the same day. Vietnam's Maritime Law which reportedly takes effect early 2013, forms a legal framework to serve the utilisation, management and protection of Vietnam's sea and islands, including the Paracels and Spratlys, as well as the development of sea-borne economy, so as to facilitate it's international integration and boost cooperation with other countries.
Topic:
Development, International Law, International Trade and Finance, Maritime Commerce, and Territorial Disputes
Political Geography:
China

2. Fisheries in Malaysia: Can resources match demand?

Author:
Evelyn Teh
Publication Date:
06-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
Fisheries have been a long practiced means of food acquisition by mankind. It has maintained its importance as the top natural protein provider in the diet of many nations in the world, with 75% of the global fish production meant for direct human consumption. The highest fish consuming nations are from developing countries. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Malaysia is one of the top fish-consuming countries in Asia (above 40kg/capita/year), almost double the average in Thailand and China, although it is still below the levels in Japan and South Korea. Figure 1 for instance shows that the trend in fish consumption among Malaysians is increasing, which is mainly based on Malaysian population data from the national consensus and data on national fish consumption. This essentially means that in 2010 an average Malaysian consumed more fish (54kg/year) compared to 20kg in 1970; a dramatic increase in demand for fish over four decades that is compounded by rapid population growth.
Topic:
Demographics, Development, Human Welfare, Maritime Commerce, and Food
Political Geography:
Malaysia, Israel, and Southeast Asia

3. Protecting Malaysia's Marine Biodiversity for Future Generations: Issues, Challenges and The Way Forward

Author:
Cheryl Rita Kaur
Publication Date:
06-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) was celebrated on 22 May 2012 with the theme Marine Biodiversity. The IDB provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues and increase practical actions towards protecting and promoting biodiversity. This article describes the status of marine biodiversity conservation, achievements, and major challenges involved in safeguarding Malaysia's marine ecosystems and environment.
Topic:
Development, Environment, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Southeast Asia

4. Malaysia's got talent: Developing a 21st century maritime workforce

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
05-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
Working hard behind the scenes amid the dazzling array of behemoth ships, towering port cranes, stacks of containers and huge cargo loads, workers in the maritime sector and along the maritime supply chain play a key role in ensuring good and raw materials are transported from producers to consumers smoothly and in a cost competitive manner.
Topic:
Development, Economics, International Trade and Finance, and Natural Resources
Political Geography:
Southeast Asia

5. Much ado about rocks

Author:
Melda Malek
Publication Date:
04-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) was the culmination of almost a decade of active negotiations between states on how the oceans should be navigated, explored, exploited and governed. Naturally, as in any negotiations, compromises were often sought when parties could not quite see eye to eye on certain issues.
Topic:
International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, United Nations, Maritime Commerce, Natural Resources, and Governance

6. Global Warming's Unfinished Debate: The Post-Kyoto (2008-2012) Era

Author:
Cheryl Rita Kaur
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009 was aimed at building on an international agreement through a new environmental accord for the post-Kyoto period (2008-2012), including new targets for greenhouse gas emissions. Although various options have been suggested since then, no definite agreement has yet been achieved. The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa further negotiated the implementation of the Convention visa- vis the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan, and the Cancun Agreements. The main outcome included the decision to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible and no later than 2015. This commentary looks at the strengths and problems faced with the Protocol and what will constitute a fair differentiation of commitments among countries to address the issue more effectively post-Kyoto.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
New Delhi and United Nations

7. Propelling Malaysia's OSV sector ahead

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The launching of the Malaysian Offshore Support Vessels Owners Association (OSV Malaysia) in February 2012 brings to attention the issues and challenges faced by the local offshore support vessels (OSV) sector. The contribution and importance of this sector in facilitating the offshore oil and gas industry cannot be overemphasized. These vessels enable a host of activities such as prospecting, exploring, commercializing, producing, storing, offloading and transporting of oil and gas and construction and decommissioning of offshore structures to be carried out.
Topic:
Economics, International Trade and Finance, Oil, Maritime Commerce, and Natural Resources
Political Geography:
Malaysia

8. Are Closed Areas the Solution for Fisheries Management?

Author:
Cheryl Rita Kaur
Publication Date:
02-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
There is strong scientific consensus that closed areas contribute towards increased abundance of fish, protect against the risk of fishery collapse, and guard against the shortcomings of other environmental management tools. Studies at some areas have shown that protected spots experienced a rapid increase in fish numbers. While closed areas may offer promise for the conservation and management of marine fisheries and their habitats, there are however, mixed views on their benefits. Critics argue that most commercial species are too mobile to benefit from closed areas; whereas fishermen worry that it would reduce their fishing grounds, and thus affect their catches. Cheryl summarises that well enforced closed areas have great potential to maintain or enhance fishery catches and increase sustainability, but they cannot be considered as the solution to the problem of dwindling global fisheries stocks. The potential in improving fisheries management towards better yield will be limited unless the roots of management failures are addressed. These hugely requires reductions in fishing mortality, better enforcement strategies, improved design and selection of suitable sites as fisheries closed areas, and increased transboundary cooperation among countries on migratory fish species.
Topic:
Environment, Maritime Commerce, Natural Resources, and Food

9. All Roads Lead to the Indian Ocean

Author:
Sumathy Permal
Publication Date:
01-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The Indian Ocean (IO) is the world’s third largest ocean with an area of 73.5 million sq. km or 28.5 million sq. miles. It is strategically located adjacent to Asia in the North, Australia to the East, Antarctica to the South, and Africa to the West. IO forms two large indentations in South Asia, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The ocean can be accessed through several chokepoints i.e., from the West via Cape of Good Hope and the Straits of Madagascar, from the North via the Bab el-Mandeb at the end of the Red Sea; the Sunda and Lombok-Straits and the Ombai-Wetar-Straits and the Straits of Hormuz at the exit of the Persian Gulf, from the East via the Straits of Malacca and, by way of geographical extension, to the South China Sea.
Topic:
Security, International Law, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Africa, China, Malaysia, Asia, Arabia, and Kobani

10. A 100 Years since the Titanic: The Costa Concordia Grounding

Author:
Mansoureh Shahryari
Publication Date:
01-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The initial Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Convention which dates back to 1914 was a direct consequence of the sinking of the Titanic two years earlier a century ago. The 100-year anniversary of the tragedy of the Titanic is the theme for the World Maritime Day 2012 proposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). According to the former Secretary General of the IMO, Mr. Mitropoulos, this theme would provide an opportunity to take stock of improvements in maritime safety over the 100 years since the sinking of the liner, and examine whether the lessons drawn from one of the most costly (in terms of human lives lost) accidents have been applied.
Topic:
International Law, International Organization, Treaties and Agreements, and Maritime Commerce