LAW OF THE SEA AND THE POLAR-REGIONS - RECONSIDERING THE TRADITIONAL NORMS

Applying the law of the sea in the polar regions creates great difficu lties. This indicates a need to reassess the traditional notions of th e law of the sea. The polar regions are distinct because they increasi ngly have their own separate legal regimes. These issues are examined from the perspective of six bipolar law of the sea problems. A determi nation is made as to whether the law of the sea deals adequately with the unique geographical, climatic and jurisdictional problems which ar ise in the polar regions and if a sui generis approach to these issues is required.