Preface

The author approaches marine law based on a lifelong appreciation of planetary systems and the importance of ocean science, effective marine resource management, and from the perspectives of student, teacher, research consultant, and scholar of ocean law and policy.

Marine law is a vast and diverse field of evolving statutes, regulations, cases, common law precedent and practice that takes several years (and many volumes) to master. There are excellent, exhaustive treatises on the topic that serve as a resource for legal professionals who wish to become expert in the field.

This open educational resource is designed for use by undergraduate and graduate ocean science, natural resource, fisheries and wildlife, and environmental policy students enrolled in a ten-week academic quarter. The purpose of this project is to provide students and non-law professionals with a freely accessible, clearly written guide to support engaging and effective learning. As such, the book serves as a gateway and an invitation to become a well informed, committed and involved ocean citizen as well as to explore the field beyond our course study.