Implementation of Marine Pollution treaties as Municipal Law in East Asian Countries: the Need for Guidelines

Treaties often fail to define specific principles that may nevertheless be fundamental to the purpose of the treaty. This leaves such principles open to differing interpretation. Usually, countries interpret international treaties in a manner which accommodate their domestic needs, and such interpretations are reflected in municipal
laws. In particular, marine environmental treaties - which provide the international basis to protect and preserve the marine environment and its resources - are often
subject to differing interpretations by various State Parties. This is especially likely to be the case where political and cultural differences are acute.