HNLU: Two Day International Conference On International Trade In Marine Life And Fisheries [27 – 28 Feb]

Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), named after one of the greatest legal luminaries of the country, Hon’ble Shri Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah, was established in 2003 by the Government of Chhattisgarh Hidayatullah National University of Law, Chhattisgarh, Act, (No. 10 of 2003). HNLU is the first National Level Institute established in the new State of Chhattisgarh in the year 2003 and the sixth Law University in the country.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

There has never been a more critical time for oceans and marine life than now. The threats of overfishing, climate change and pollution are expected to cause a cumulative loss of at least USD $428 billion to the global economy. As a step to combat this issue, the United Nations came up with the Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDG’) under which SDG 14.6 specifically deals with the issue of sustainable fishing and ocean management. In a bid to fulfil the mandate of the SDGs by 2030 as aimed, international organizations and countries globally seem to work together.

The recently concluded MC12 negotiations are a testament to the global support and intent towards sustainable fishing and oceanic life protection. The historic negotiations panned over two decades and concluded with the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (‘Agreement’) on 17 May 2022. After nearly 20 years of negotiations, WTO members agreed on curbing the estimated US $22 billion in annual public support that contributes to the depletion of marine resources. The Agreement bans subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (‘IUU Fishing’), as well as fishing in the unregulated high seas and in overfished stocks.

Reducing such subsidies and trade barriers is an important tool to protect the oceans, marine life, the environment and ultimately help member countries make progress to the concept of a circular economy. A circular economy aims at tackling global pressing issues in a recyclable, sustainable manner, and is crucial as we move towards to the future. Thus, by reducing subsidies and public support to harmful fishing practices, immense global progress can be achieved. However, the WTO also takes note of the needs of developing and least developed countries (‘LDC’) in this regard. The economies of certain countries run on the development of “blue” industries that utilize ocean life. A blanket restriction by the WTO on such oceanic practices would be catastrophic to the economies of such countries.

India for instance has objected to the proposed two-year transitional period for exempting developing countries and LDCs from subsidy cuts and has been lobbying for a 25-year period to protect the fishing industry and the interests of the fishermen.

Thus, this area of international trade law is at the forefront of several intersectional issues, and we thus propose to explore this interesting area extensively at our conference and increase awareness amongst students, research scholars, policy wonks and trade professionals on such topical matters.

STRUCTURE OF THE CONFERENCE

Apart from the inaugural and valedictory session, the International Conference will be organized in the following two parts:

Part A: Theme based Panel Discussions

Part B: Paper Presentations in Technical Sessions

PARTICIPANTS

Through this international conference we aim to raise awareness and interest in international trade law, marine life, fisheries, blue economy, climate change and such seminal happenings. The conference will feature panel discussions, expert talks, and paper presentations. We intend on inviting environmental lawyers, academicians, economic and industry experts, law/oceanology/business etc. students and research scholars to participate and present papers in the international conference.

SUB-THEMES OF THE CONFERENCE

▪ Agreement on Fisheries – Future Discourse

▪ SDGs and Marine Life

▪ Developing countries, LDCs and Fisheries

▪ Law and Oceanology

▪ Blue Economy and Ocean Governance

▪ Blue Finance, Policy, and SDGs

▪ Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems

▪ Role of Mangroves in fisheries and their protection

▪ Climate Change and Oceanology

▪ Life below Water and Pollution

▪ Pandemic and its Effects on Marine Life

▪ Gender perspective on Marine Life

▪ Livelihood and fisheries

These sub-themes are only suggestive and not exhaustive. Papers that are not covered under the above mentioned sub-themes yet hold relevance in the thrust area may also be considered.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Research papers/articles in English are invited from academicians, professionals, practitioners, researchers, students of law, social science and environmental science, and other stakeholders on the emerging issues and related areas on the broader sub-themes given above.

The selected papers based on quality may be published in the form of an edited book with ISBN

DATE TO REMEMBER

Deadline for the Submission of Detailed Abstract: February 21, 2023

Intimation of Acceptance for Detailed Abstract: February 22, 2023

Deadline for Registration & Fee Payment (only if the Detailed Abstract is accepted): February 23, 2023 Date of Conference: February 27-28, 2023

REGISTRATION FEES

For Academicians/Professionals and Research Scholars: INR 1000

For Students: INR 800

Note - Co-authorship of up to two authors is permitted with the submission of registration fees by both authors separately.

BANK DETAILS

Account Holder’s Name: Registrar, Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur

Bank Name: IDBI Bank

Account No.: 1188102000000806

IFSC Code: IBKL0001188

MICR Code: 492259503

Branch Name: HNLU Campus Branch, Uparwara, Nava Raipur

Account Type: Current A/C

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

1. The detailed abstract up to 500 words accompanied by a brief profile of the author/s indicating his/her email ID, contact number, designation, and official address.

2. The word limit for full paper along with an abstract is 3000 - 7000 words (excluding footnotes) which is required to be submitted in MS Word format by paper presenter latest by April 15, 2023. The same may be considered for publication in the form of an edited book with ISBN.

3. Font: Times New Roman, Font Size: 12, Line spacing: 1.5, A4 size paper with 1” margin on all sides. 4. Plagiarized papers shall be summarily rejected.

5. For references and bibliography, the author(s) are required to follow the Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, 20th edition.

For further queries and additional information, please contact:

Dr. Ankit Awasthi (Secretary) [7355235075 / 9919521188]

Email id: conference@hnlu.ac.in