Advancing collaborative marine conservation: reflecting on past initiatives and addressing future hurdles in the South China sea
摘要
This paper focuses on the past interdisciplinary research cooperation in the South China Sea and explains the conflicts of geopolitics that obstruct these collaborative undertakings. Recently, there has been much activity in the region which, against the backdrop of geopolitical conflicts, underscores the necessity for more protective measures in the ecological, economic, and sociocultural context of the region. The prevailing goal of safeguarding the South China Sea extends to more than just the definition of maritime borders. There is a need for bilateral and multi-lateral initiatives, like the Philippine-Vietnam marine research collaborations, to protect this important marine ecosystem as well as other initiatives which include designation of Marine Protected Areas, establishment of a Regional Fishery Management Organization, and development of aquaculture.