Writing this book has been an extraordinary journey that began several years ago with the desire to further deepen my keen interest in international maritime and environmental law. The uniqueness of the caof Agreement as a fisheries agreement in force before fishing occurs in a particular area, its wide relevance in the context of climate change and as a multinational (model) agreement in difficult times made it a topic worth looking at more closely and presenting to the public. The process was both challenging and rewarding, as it opened up new perspectives and broadened my understanding not only of the legal aspects involved, but especially of global geopolitical and environmental developments.
As a result – and this is what distinguishes this work from others in the field – this book offers a deeper insight into the scientific aspects of the subject and links them to the legal aspects of the Agreement. A large part of my objective is to give those who otherwise deal with the subject in a more analytical and theoretical way an understanding of these scientific developments.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in the process of this work, much of which was written under difficult circumstances with challenging research and working possibilities due to the covid-19 pandemic. I am deeply grateful to my husband Simon, my parents, sisters and friends for their unconditional encouragement, and to my Ph.D. supervisor Daniel Khan and colleagues for their invaluable feedback and insightful guidance, especially Clemens Hufeld, Philip Nedelcu, Nick Applegarth, and Kevin Li. Furthermore, I would like to thank the institutions, networks and fellow scholars that provided essential resources for my research, in particular Erik J. Molenaar and the UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic Law. Many thanks also go to Malgosia Fitzmaurice and De Gruyter Brill, whose interest in my work initiated the publication and makes it accessible to a wider audience.
As you explore the caof Agreement through this book, I invite you to consider not only the immediate implications for Arctic fisheries, but also the broader lessons it holds for international cooperation, environmental protection, and the ever-changing relationship between humanity and the natural world. May this work inspire greater awareness and action towards the sustainable management of our shared marine resources.
Lena J. Haas
Munich, June 2024