Bridge over troubled waters: Fisheries cooperation as a resolution to the South China Sea conflicts

This paper considers the issue of disputes in the South China Sea and posits fishery cooperation as a resolution of these disputes. Three major points relating to disputes in the South China Sea are analysed in the first section. Several theories and practices are introduced and discussed to evaluate the feasibility of using them as the basis for a practical resolution to the conflicts. The author suggests that determining the ownership of jurisdiction over the islands and waters in the South China Sea is not essential at this stage. In fact, claimant states can derive greater benefits in the South China Sea through cooperation in the management and conservation of fishery resources. Ultimately, the experience of fisheries cooperation can be extended to other fields.