Foreign Scientific Research Vessels in Waters under Portuguese Sovereignty or Jurisdiction

By ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Portugal gains sovereignty and jurisdiction rights over vast maritime territories with enormous economic and strategic value. These territories are the subject of growing interest by foreign actors since the scientific knowledge derived therein is a decisive factor for the achievement of their interests. In this study, we analyze the context of the foreign scientific research vessels activity in Portuguese maritime waters. In fact, Portugal must pay attention to such an activity in order to preserve its national interests. Therefore, we begin by considering the acquired knowledge on the resources value of the Portuguese sea. We then proceed by analyzing the evolution of the foreign scientific research cruises activity in national waters, as well as its legal framework. The analysis we develop allows us to identify some vulnerabilities and gaps which need to be tied together. In this sense, we formulate possible lines of action keeping Portuguese national interests in mind.