Ratify Law of the Sea

Background

• Securing Our Seas: The United States and the Law of the Sea Treaty (PDF)
  A brief overview of the Law of the Sea Treaty and the United States.
• LAW OF THE SEA TREATY: Myths and Facts (PDF)
  Debunking the myths about the Law of the Sea Treaty.

Reasons to Ratify

• The Law of the Sea and a Warming Arctic (PDF)
  Although U.S. laws are written in accordance with the Law of the Sea, until the U.S. ratifies this accord, it will have no say in how the Treaty evolves as the physical and geopolitical environment in the Arctic continues to heat up.
• The Law of the Sea Treaty and U.S. National Security (PDF)
  The United States can strengthen its national security posture by ratifying the Law of the Sea Treaty.
• The Law of the Sea and the Environment (PDF)
  Ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty would allow the United States to use the Treaty’s comprehensive legal framework to protect the waters beyond its own borders, rather than passively watching as other powers lay claim to shared resources and irreparably harm the global commons.

Additional Resources

• U.S. Coast Guard Factsheet on the Law of the Sea Convention (PDF)
  The Coast Guard has long taken a lead role in advocating for the United States to join the Law of the Sea Convention as soon as possible.
• Navy JAG Factsheet on Eight National Security Myths: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (PDF)
  We are at war. The President, his war cabinet, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the
  Commandant of the Coast Guard urge the Senate to provide its advice and consent to
  the Law of the Sea Convention because it enhances our national security.