Regional Cooperation in Marine Environmental Protection in the South China Sea: A Reflection on New Directions for Marine Conservation

Despite ongoing conflict management and confidence-building efforts in the South China Sea (SCS), there is still no clear path to the resolution of the complex multilateral sovereignty and the maritime boundary disputes. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments for the region forecast significant climate and ecological change to the detriment of the region's coastal inhabitants, ecosystems, and economies. SCS states need to place marine conservation cooperation at the center of all development activity in order to enhance the prospects of adaptation to climate change. This article explores and argues for more effective SCS Large Marine Ecosystem cooperation through transboundary networks of marine protected areas.