The Rights of Nature and Legal Personhood in an Ocean Context

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

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