What is MSR?
Marine Scientific Research (MSR) is a term applied to a range of scientific disciplines (such as physics, biology, chemistry, geology, geophysics) concerned with the study of the ocean, its biota and its physical boundaries with the solid earth and the atmosphere. [9] The conduct of MSR activities is regulated in Part XIII, 1982 UNCLOS and other rules of international law. In essence, MSR is a freedom of the high seas beyond the limits of a coastal nations’ jurisdiction (usually beyond the 200 nautical mile boundary measured from the low water mark). MSR activities conducted within the 200 nautical mile boundary of another nation are subject to the prior consent of that nation, and require the researching State to comply with a range of obligations toward the host nation, including a duty to share data, samples and results obtained, and to permit the participation of the host nation’s observers or participants on board the foreign vessel. In practice, the extent of international law re
