The governance of seas and oceans, defined as all forms of social participation in decision-making on the marine environment, is here mainly from a legal perspective view with the Law of the Sea as a determinant. The book presents the main aspects of maritime law and the history of its construction. The exploitation of living resources, minerals and marine energy reserves, maritime transport, marine ecosystems disturbance by a vessel traffic constantly increasing, are included.

Doctor of Science in marine sedimentology and geochemistry, André Monaco is also emeritus research director at the CNRS. He received the first prize of scientific culture of MEN in 1999.

Research Director, Patrick Prouzet took care of the ecosystem approach to the scientific management of Ifremer. In the field of fisheries, he made amphihalin expertise on fish management internationally.