The initiative of the Arctic Council to address IMO measures suited to protect sensitive areas, such as the Arctic high seas, is a promising step to ensure protection of the marine environment. It remains to be seen whether the Arctic states will take on a leading regulatory role and make a proposal to the IMO on the designation of a PSSA (Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas) on the high seas.
The objective of this article is to assess the legal implications of adopting measures to protect the high seas of the Arctic Ocean from the risks posed by international shipping activities, with a particular focus on the use of PSSA.