Abstract
The United Nations Secretary-General, in the 67th annual report, Oceans and the Law of the Sea, gave a preliminary statement regarding the governance policy and legal framework for marine renewable resources. The report also suggested establishing a relevant legal regime but did not provide any details. Legislative and research work have positive effects in facilitating marine renewable energy programmes. It is also a necessary precondition to create a relevant legal governance regime, in order to establish a concrete marine renewable energy programme. This article examines international legal duties and obligations in relation to the exploration of marine renewable energy. It also examines state practice in the USA, the UK and Canada.