Regulating the Sea

The book explores English marine protected areas regulation, linking the regulatory landscape to key theoretical themes in environmental social sciences.

Aimed primarily at scholars researching in the field of environmental law and regulation and socio-legal studies. As the book provides an interdisciplinary treatment of the subject bringing in theoretical insights from various environmental social sciences, it will be valuable also for human geographers, sociologists and political scientists.This book is the first ever written on English marine conservation regulation from a socio-legal perspective. The monograph presents an in-depth analysis of key aspects of Marine Protected Areas regulation in England, offering the reader access to an under-investigated field. Such regulatory mapping is complemented by an interdisciplinary treatment of the subject exploring the relationship between people and marine parks through central themes in environmental social sciences and regulatory theory, namely space, rationalisation, democracy and adaptation. Thus, the book is of interest to environmental lawyers and regulatory scholars but also to human geographers, environmental sociologists and political scientists. As the book provides critical reflections on current legal and regulatory structures, it contains valuable insights for policymakers and regulators. The book has a strong methodological basis drawing on in-depth desk-based research, complemented by primary qualitative research, conducted over a number of years.