Prevention of Vessel-Source Plastic Pollution from Arctic Shipping: Some Thoughts on Normative Interactions between Treaties

Abstract In light of the increased vessel traffic in the marine Arctic, prevention of vessel-source marine plastic pollution is becoming a matter of serious concern. Thus this article examines rules and obligations concerning the prevention of vessel-source marine plastic pollution from Arctic shipping in international law. In broad terms, international law of Arctic shipping consists of three-tier structure: (1) the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( LOSC ), (2) special treaties and instruments concerning vessel-source marine pollution and the safety of navigation, and (3) municipal law. A relevant question that arises is how one can prevent normative conflicts between treaties and secure normative coherence. To address this question, first this article reviews the relevant provisions of the LOSC and particular treaties and instruments concerning the prevention of vessel-source plastics pollution from Arctic shipping. Next, the article examines two dimensions of normative interactions between treaties: normative conflicts and normative integration.