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"It was during my master's degree in the law of the sae that I realise that I was passionate about research. In my thesis I focused on the legal framework of marine biodiversity as exploitable natural resources but also as a natural environment to preserve. To understand the preservation of this environment and its biodiversity, it is necessary to develop an eco-systemic approach which integrates all the fields that have an impact on the environment, and to consider all domains of law that are linked to the law of the sea and determine how these different sectors may incorporate environmental concerns. During my postdoctoral studies, I further developed my multidisciplinary skills by working with biologists, sociologists, geographers or economists. Currently, I am examining whether the transposition of the concept of maritime spatial planning to the global scale is relevant.

I also work on the protection of marine worms, in particular polychaetes. What is the right protection for their function and for the dangers that threaten them ? We tend to associate the protection of biodiversity with certain emblematic species. I asked myself what the impact of this approach would be in law. I focus my Accrediation to Supervise Research (HDR) project on emotions and how they influence environmental protection laws. How does bad press about a species, for instance the shark, complicate its preservation ? The sea represents 70% of the earth's surface, and while laws on the high seas currently exit, there is hardly any protection. Illegal fishing, poaching, piracy and the dumping of toxic waste remain all too common. An international agreement is currently under negociation to strengthen the protection of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction."

Betty Queffelec,
Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Western Brittany

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