Challenges in Harmonising Conservation Laws on Living Marine Resources within the Framework of the EAC: Case Study of Tanzania and Kenya

Abstract

Marine ecosystems compirese of transboundary resourceswhich occupy up to 71% of the earth ' s surface. Up to 90% ofthe world ' s living marine resources exist within the ExclusiveEconomic Zone (EEZ). The 1982 UN LOSC confersmanagement and conservation of the EEZ to the coastalState ' s jurisdiction. It is, however, argued that since oceans aretransboundary, effective conservation of their living resourcesrequires coordinated approach between neighbouring coastalStates. Such approaches would help to avoid a situation whereliving marine resources of the same ecosystem are possiblyconflicting conservation measures.One way through which neighbouring Coastal States cancoordinate conservation measures for their living marineresources is through the process of harmonisation of laws.Harmonisation leads to establishment of common legalstructures and institutions to aid with the intendedcoordination. It is therefore argued that, throughharmonisation, Kenya and Tanzania would enhance their