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The Rights of Nature and Legal Personhood in an Ocean Context

Bender, Michelle; Slobodian, Lydia; Gjerde, Kristina M.; Cullet, Philippe; Singh, Pradeep; Olsen, Chloe

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Authors

Michelle Bender

Lydia Slobodian

Kristina M. Gjerde

Pradeep Singh

Chloe Olsen



Abstract

This think-piece explores the growing movement and legal framework of rights of nature as it might be applied in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). We first examine what rights of nature is, and how it has been applied in practice. We then take a step further to analyze how rights of nature, or ocean rights, may positively influence marine conservation in the context of ABNJ through three short case studies exploring (1) marine protected areas, (2) marine migratory species, and (3) deep-seabed mining. By highlighting the potential of such a framework to mitigate the risks to marine biodiversity in ABNJ, this think-piece paves the way for a global re-evaluation of how the ocean is governed, urging a shift towards more ecologically sustainable human activity.

Citation

Bender, M., Slobodian, L., Gjerde, K. M., Cullet, P., Singh, P., & Olsen, C. (2025). The Rights of Nature and Legal Personhood in an Ocean Context. Ocean Yearbook Online, 39, 79-117. https://doi.org/10.1163/22116001-03901006

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 7, 2025
Publication Date Jun 20, 2025
Deposit Date Oct 11, 2024
Publicly Available Date Jun 26, 2025
Print ISSN 0191-8575
Electronic ISSN 2211-6001
Publisher Brill Academic Publishers
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 39
Pages 79-117
DOI https://doi.org/10.1163/22116001-03901006
Keywords rights of nature; ocean rights; deep-seabed mining; marine biodiversity; Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
Publisher URL https://brill.com/view/journals/ocyo/39/1/article-p79_5.xml

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