What the study found
The study found that naval mines in the Black Sea have created transboundary environmental risks and legal concerns under international law. It also states that existing legal mechanisms do not sufficiently address the environmental effects of naval mine deployment, especially transboundary ecological damage and long-term marine pollution.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest this matters because drifting mines can threaten marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, commercial fisheries, and regional maritime safety. The study also frames the issue as relevant to environmental security, marine ecosystem protection, and regional cooperation in the Black Sea.
What the researchers tested
The article uses an interdisciplinary approach to assess the ecological effects of mine warfare in the marine environment and reviews legal frameworks including Hague Convention VIII of 1907, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Bucharest Convention, and customary international humanitarian law. It also evaluates mine incidents from documented sources from 2022 to 2024 against principles including distinction, proportionality, notification, and the obligation to prevent marine pollution.
What worked and what didn't
The article reports that drifting or uncontrolled mines, including mines moved by hydrodynamic currents or extreme weather, threaten marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, commercial fisheries, and maritime safety. It finds that the current legal framework fails to adequately address environmental harm from naval mine deployment, while soft-law instruments such as the San Remo Manual and IMO Guidelines are discussed as possible ways to improve environmental protection standards.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed quantitative results or experimental measurements. It also does not provide a full account of the mine incidents reviewed, beyond noting that documented sources from 2022 to 2024 were evaluated.
Key points
- Naval mines in the Black Sea are described as creating transboundary environmental risks and legal concerns.
- Drifting or uncontrolled mines are reported to threaten marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, commercial fisheries, and maritime safety.
- The article reviews Hague Convention VIII of 1907, UNCLOS, the Bucharest Convention, and customary international humanitarian law.
- The authors say current legal mechanisms do not sufficiently address environmental damage, especially transboundary ecological harm and long-term marine pollution.
- The San Remo Manual and IMO Guidelines are discussed as soft-law instruments that may improve environmental protection standards.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Naval mine warfare in the Black Sea poses environmental and legal risks
- Authors:
- ASM Mahmudul Hasan
- Institutions:
- Karabük University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-29
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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