Marine Ecosystem

This page identifies ecological jurisprudence initiatives in which the subject of the initiative is a marine ecosystem, or major element of a marine ecosystem. Examples include oceans, seas, salt marshes, estuaries and lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, and the sea bed (floor).

Trilateral Wadden Sea Conference Wilhelmshaven Declaration for a new Wadden Sea Management Plan

Country:International

Status:Approved in 2022

2022 Trilateral Wadden Sea Governmental Council management plan to explore if “Rights of Nature” could be adapted to the Wadden Sea World HeritageRead More →

Newfoundland & Labrador Rights of the Atlantic Ocean Bill

Country:Canada

Status:Drafted in 2022

The Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland & Labrador revealed the first draft of a new "Rights of the Atlantic Ocean" bill to be brought in St. John's, NLRead More →

Prime Minister of the Republic of Cabo Verde speech to the United Nations 2022

Country:International

Status:Approved in 2022

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Cabo Verde stated that Cabo Verde advocates for a Universal Declaration of Ocean's RightsRead More →

Ecuador Unconstitutionality of Environmental Code Provision Regarding Mangroves Case

Country:Ecuador

Status:Approved in 2021

The court declared the partial unconstitutionality of several articles of the Organic Environmental Code because they could endanger mangroves in 2021.Read More →

Mexico Constitutional Appeal to Protect Mangroves in Laguna del Carpintero Case

Country:Mexico

Status:Approved in 2016

A court in Mexico approved an amparo (a constitutional appeal), arguing that the development of a park project harms a mangrove swamp in 2016.Read More →

Mangroves in the El Verdun Commune

Country:Ecuador

Status:Rejected in 2015

The courts in Ecuador reviewed a case about a man wanting to establish a shrimp company in the mangrove ecosystem of the El Verdun Commune starting in 2012.Read More →

Ecuador Mangrove Felling in El Guabo Canton Case

Country:Ecuador

Status:Approved in 2020

A municipal court in El Guabo ruled a man violated the rights of Nature for felling a Mangrove to create a shrimp farm in 2020.Read More →

NGO Adoption of Holistic and Rights-based Ocean Governance

Country:International

Status:Approved in 2017

In 2017, the Earth Law Center wrote a draft law promoting a rights-based approach to ocean governance.Read More →