While national legislation varies from country to country, several international conventions and treaties are relevant to coastal zone management. Countries participating in these treaties accept certain obligations, but will also become the recipients of specific benefits. The benefits may include reciprocal access to information, access to technical and financial assistance, and wider enforcement of jurisdictional powers than the national law provides. Some of the key treaties and conventions relating to coastal zone management are listed below. Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (The Cartagena Convention) and its Protocols The Cartagena Convention entered into force in 1986 for the purposes of the protection and management of the marine and coastal areas of the Wider Caribbean Region. The Cartagena Convention and its Protocols constitutes an important legal instrument for regional cooperation in the Wider Caribbean. The UNEP Regional Co-ordinating unit is administering the convention. The convention has three associated protocols under development:

1. The Oil Spills Protocol, which provides for regional co-operation when an oil spill threatens the coast of a participating state, and for the preparation and updating of contingency plans. This protocol is in force.
2. The Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW), which provides for the protection and management of marine areas and associated terrestrial areas, as well as wildlife. This protocol is supported by a special subprogramme of the Caribbean Environment Programme called the SPAW Programme. The protocol is adopted but not in force.
3. The LBSMP Protocol, which, though not yet finalized, is expected to become an instrument for dealing with environmental pollution reaching the marine environment from land-based sources. The Protocol is supported by a special subprogramme of the Caribbean Environment Programme called the Marine Pollution and Integrated Environmental Management Subprogramme (AMEP).

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) The 1983 convention came into force on 16 November 1994, and provides the basic framework for establishing maritime zones, and for regulating fishing, marine scientific research, and marine pollution within these zones.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

This convention operates by a means of a system of import and export permits, designed to protect certain threatened species from over-exploitation. It prohibits international commercial trade in species considered endangered and listed in Appendix I, but permits such trade in a regulated manner in species listed in Appendix II, that could become endangered through international trade.

Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL, 73/78)

This convention is administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and requires the contracting parties to impose a variety of controls on pollution from ships. The convention has five annexes covering oil, noxious liquids in bulk, harmful substances in packaged form, sewage and garbage.

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar)

The Ramsar convention provides for increased protection of wetlands, including shallow coastal and marine areas. A state acceding to the convention is required to designate at least one significant wetlands site, which is subject to some form of sustainable management.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The Climate Change Convention was concluded at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. It concentrates on controlling the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane. The developed countries will provide provisions of funding and technology to the developing countries to reduce such emissions.

Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity was also concluded at UNCED. It requires states to adopt and carry out conservation policies to maintain biological diversity. For the Caribbean region, it has been recognized that the implementation of the SPAW Protocol of the Cartagena Convention would support the implementation of the majority of the obligations of the Convention on Biological Diversity. There is a special agreement between the CBD Secretariat and UNEP-CAR/RCU on implementing the CBD at a regional level.

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention)

This treaty, established through UNESCO, allows contracting states to nominate sites within their territory to the World Heritage Committee for consideration for designation as natural and cultural sites of "outstanding universal value". Such designation entitles the country where the site is located to seek assistance from the World Heritage Fund for its protection.

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention)

The Bonn Convention was established to protect species of wild animals migrating across and outside national borders. This includes marine animals such as sea turtles and sea birds. Parties to the convention agree to restrict harvesting, conserve habitats, and control other adverse factors.

Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC)

This treaty is operated by the UN Food and Agriculture organization in Rome, and provides for fisheries research co-operation.

International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage

This convention makes provision for coastal states to allow actions to be brought in their national courts against the owners of vessels which spill oil at sea, resulting in damage to fishing or related interests, such as tourism.

International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (the Fund Convention)

This convention establishes a fund to ensure that full compensation is payable to victims of oil pollution damage in cases where the Civil Liability Convention cannot provide a remedy.

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matters (London Dumping Convention)

This convention was established to prevent indiscriminate disposal at sea of wastes liable to create hazards to human health or to harm living resources and marine life, to damage amenities, and to interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea.

Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention)

The purpose of this convention is to control and reduce transboundary movements of specified wastes, minimize the generation of hazardous wastes and assist developing countries in the environmentally sound management of such wastes.

UN Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks

This agreement sets out a precautionary approach to the management of living resources.