Marine Data Collection: US Perspectives

Coastal State jurisdiction over foreign marine data collection activities depends on which type of activity is involved and on the maritime zone in which it is conducted. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea2 (los Convention) does not use the term “marine data collection” which is used in this article as a generic term without legal content, as the umbrella under which to consider the various data collection activities in the marine environment.3 Under “marine data collection” the following five categories, with seven subcategories, are considered: – Marine scientific research (msr); – Surveys – Hydrographic surveys; and – Military surveys; – Operational oceanography – Ocean state estimation; – Weather forecasting; and – Climate prediction; – Exploration and exploitation4 of – Natural resources; and – Underwater cultural heritage (shipwrecks); and – Monitoring and environmental assessment.