Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Marine Environmental Law
The Master in Marine Environmental LawThis program equips you to lead the protection of the oceans. It delves into the international and national legislation that regulates maritime activity and its impact on the environment. Y
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Marine Environmental Law?
The Master in Marine Environmental Law
This program equips you to lead the protection of the oceans. It delves into the international and national legislation that regulates maritime activity and its impact on the environment. You will learn to apply legal and technical tools for the sustainable management of marine resources, pollution prevention, and biodiversity conservation. This program prepares you to face the challenges of climate change and overexploitation, driving innovative solutions for a sustainable marine future.
Differential Advantages
- Practical Approach: analysis of real cases and simulations of environmental litigation.
- Comprehensive Vision: from legislation on fisheries and aquaculture to the regulation of maritime transport and marine renewable energies.
- Network of Experts: renowned professors and access to a broad network of professionals in the sector.
- Skills Development: negotiation, conflict management, and effective communication in the field of marine environmental law.
- Career Opportunities: in public administrations, NGOs, companies in the maritime and energy sectors, and environmental consultancies.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Start date
26-11-2026
Programme highlights
- Specialization: Delve into the international and national legislation that protects our oceans and coasts.
- Practical Approach: Acquire skills for the sustainable management of marine resources and the resolution of environmental conflicts.
- Leading Experts: Learn from renowned professionals in environmental law, marine biology, and public policy.
- Career Opportunities: Prepare to work in government organizations, NGOs, environmental consultancies, and the private sector.
- Networking: Expand your network with industry professionals and participate in collaborative projects.
- Boost your career and Become an expert in marine environmental protection.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
International policies and advanced regulation for the conservation and sustainable management of marine ecosystems
- International legal framework: key conventions (UNCLOS, CBD, MARPOL, CITES) and their specific protocols for marine protection
- International organisations: functions, competences and coordination between IMO, UNEP, FAO and OSPAR in marine environmental management
- Non-Binding Legal Instruments: Critical Analysis of Statements, Guidelines and Codes of Conduct in Sustainable Maritime Governance
- Multi-level governance: interaction between international standards, regional protocols and national legislation for the conservation of marine ecosystems
- Integrated Coastal and Maritime Management Policies (ICZM, MSP): Advanced approaches to space planning and sustainable use of marine resources
- Evaluation of environmental impact in marine projects: methodologies, international standards and application in protected coastal and marine zones
- Access and distribution of marine genetic resources: regulation under the framework of the high seas treaty and implications for marine biotechnology
- Rights of indigenous and local communities: mechanisms for protection and participation in the sustainable management of marine protected areas
- International financing and green incentive mechanisms for marine conservation: funds, subsidies and environmental bonds
- Contemporary challenges in the application of international policies: illegal fishing, marine pollution and climate change in marine environmental regulation
02
Legal strategies for the comprehensive protection of marine biodiversity and ocean resources
- International Regulatory Framework for Marine Environmental Protection: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Marine Environment Protection Convention of the Northeast Atlantic Region (OSPAR), Barcelona Convention and Madrid Protocol
- Fundamental Principles of Marine Environmental Law: Precautionary, Powder-Payer, Sustainable Development and Ecological Integrity
- Legal instruments for the conservation of marine biodiversity: marine protected areas (AMP), nature reserves and marine biological corridors
- Regulation and control of human activities in ocean spaces: sustainable fishing, exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, maritime transport and recreational activities
- Marine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Applicable methodologies, legal requirements and administrative procedures
- Responsibility and sanctions in the field of marine environmental law: analysis of emblematic cases and relevant jurisprudence
- International cooperation mechanisms for ocean protection and climate change mitigation: multilateral agreements and participation in global forums
- Protection of endangered marine species: CITES regulations, Bonny Convention and CBI guidelines for vulnerable marine species
- Integrated Coastal Governance and Management Instruments (GCI): Strategies for harmonizing sustainable use and conservation of coastal and marine areas
- Innovation and Trends in Marine Environmental Law: Strategic Litigation, Emerging Ocean Law and Role of Comparative Law in the face of current challenges
03
International, regional and national legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems
- Fundamentals of Marine Environmental Law: Historical evolution and key concepts in the protection of marine ecosystems.
- International legal framework: Detailed analysis of relevant multilateral treaties, conventions and agreements, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the London Convention.
- Guiding Principles of Environmental Maritime Law: Precaution, Prevention, International Responsibility and Sustainable Development Applied to Marine Management.
- International Institutions and Mechanisms for Marine Conservation: Function and Competences of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (COI).
- Regional Legislation: Comparative study of legal regimes in areas such as the Barcelona Convention for the Mediterranean, the Helsinki Convention for the Baltic Sea, and other specific agreements for the protection of sensitive marine regions.
- National regulations and their interaction with international law: Analysis of domestic law in countries with jurisdiction over marine areas, including the regulation of marine protected areas and the integrated management of coastal zones.
- Legal Regime of Marine Protected Areas (AMP): Criteria for its establishment, categorization according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and regulations for zoning and sustainable management.
- Sovereign rights and state jurisdiction versus principles of free use: exploration of legal limits on the exploitation of living and non-living marine resources, extended continental shelf and exclusive economic zones.
- Responsibility and regime of sanctions in marine environmental matters: mechanisms for the prevention and repair of damages, compensation regime and international and national sanctioning procedures.
- Emblematic cases and international jurisprudence in marine environmental law: study of binding sentences and resolutions of international courts and commissions that have set legal precedents in the matter.
04
Supervision, compliance and litigation in marine environmental law: impact assessment, maritime management, sanctions and remediation
- International and national legal framework for marine environmental law: treaties, conventions, laws and regulations applicable to the protection of the marine environment
- Environmental control procedures: design, implementation and monitoring of marine inspections to ensure regulatory compliance
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) in maritime projects: methodologies, technical criteria, citizen participation and issuance of authorizations
- Integrated maritime management: marine spatial planning, zoning, use compatibility and sustainable management of marine resources
- Sanctioning instruments in marine environmental law: typification of infractions, sanctioning regime, imposition of fines and administrative resources
- Environmental litigation in the marine field: competent jurisdiction, procedural strategies, technical tests and specialised expertise
- Environmental remediation mechanisms: Ecological restoration techniques, rehabilitation of affected marine ecosystems and legal responsibilities in cases of pollution
- Cases of control and litigation: detailed analysis of judgments and emblematic jurisprudential decisions
- Technological tools for marine environmental monitoring and control: Geographic information systems (GIS), telemetry and satellite surveillance
- Inter-institutional cooperation and citizen participation for effective governance in marine environmental law
05
Legal and technological innovation for comprehensive and adaptive management of coastal areas and marine protected areas
- International Legal Foundations for Marine Environmental Management: UNCLOS, CITES, CBD and Supplementary Protocols
- Advanced technology tools: GIS systems, remote sensing and remote sensors for real-time coastal and marine monitoring
- Adaptive Management Methodologies: Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Dynamic Management Plans for Marine Protected Areas (AMP)
- National and regional legal framework: Comparative analysis of regulations, public policies and governance in coastal and marine protected areas
- Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in environmental modelling and prediction of anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems
- Citizen participation and collabourative governance: legal and technological mechanisms for the inclusion of local communities in coastal management
- Innovative legal instruments: rights of nature, conservation based on human rights and payment mechanisms for marine ecosystem services
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment with Advanced Technological Support: Drones, Big Data and Integrated Information Management Platforms
- Adaptation to climate change and resilience in coastal zones: legal and technological strategies for mitigating extreme effects and protecting biodiversity
- Development of comprehensive public policies through simulations and legal-marine modelling supported by state-of-the-art digital technology
06
International and national legal framework for the conservation of marine ecosystems and ocean resources
- Fundamentals of Marine Environmental Law: Guiding Principles, Ecosystem Approach and Sustainable Development Applied to Marine and Coastal Environments
- Key international instruments: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Ramsar Convention
- Relevant multilateral agreements and treaties: Ocean-related Kyoto Protocol, Barcelona Convention and Regional Agreements for the Protection of the Marine Environment
- National Marine Conservation Legislation: Comparative Analysis of Regulatory Frameworks in Countries with Significant Marine Biodiversity and Sustainable Management Policies
- International organisations and their role in marine governance: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Legal mechanisms for the protection of marine protected areas (AMP): Categorization, establishment, management and monitoring from a legal and public policy perspective
- Regulations on sustainable fishing and conservation of marine species: quotas, bans, fishing declaration, and comprehensive management of living resources in jurisdictional and high sea waters
- Environmental responsibility and sanctions in marine matters: legal regime for damages, compensatory measures, pollution prevention and environmental judicial procedures in marine contexts
- Evaluation of environmental impact in marine and coastal projects: legal requirements, strategic environmental studies and public participation in accordance with international and national standards
- Updating and emerging challenges: Effects of climate change on marine legislation, right to marine genetic resources and advances in ocean bioprospecting regulation
07
International regulation and policies for the sustainable conservation of marine ecosystems
- Fundamentals of Marine Environmental Law: Key Concepts, Guiding Principles and Scope of International Application
- Principles of sovereignty and jurisdiction in the maritime space: EEZ, continental shelf and high seas according to Convemar
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Convemar): Structure, relevant provisions for environmental protection and compliance mechanisms
- Binding and non-binding international instruments: comparative analysis of treaties, protocols and guidelines in marine matters
- International Marine Governance Organisations: UNEP, IMO, ISA and other multilateral agencies in environmental regulation
- Global Marine Biodiversity Conservation Policies: UN Strategies and CBD Agreements Applied to the Marine Environment
- Mechanisms for sustainable management of marine protected areas (AMP): Technical criteria, design, zoning and governance
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) in marine projects: international regulations, technical methodologies and emblematic cases
- Prevention, control and mitigation of marine pollution: MARPOL, decontamination protocols and incident response
- Challenges and advances in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Specific Goals Linked to the Ocean and Marine Conservation
08
Multilevel governance and legal mechanisms for effective conflict management in marine protected areas
- Fundamentals of multilevel governance: analysis of structures and competences in marine environmental management at the local, regional, national and international levels
- Legal principles applied to the management of marine protected areas: sovereignty, jurisdiction, conservation and sustainable use
- International regulatory framework: Conventions, Treaties and Key Protocols in Marine Environmental Law (UNCLOS, CBD, Ramsar, among others)
- Legal instruments for the resolution of conflicts in maritime and coastal spaces: negotiation, mediation, arbitration and environmental litigation
- Citizen participation and public consultation mechanisms: design, implementation and effects on the governance of marine protected areas
- Inter-institutional coordination and collabouration between state, private and civil society sectors in the effective administration of marine resources
- Evaluation of environmental and social impacts as a preventive tool in the prevention of conflicts in marine protected areas
- Analysing emblematic cases of conflict management in marine protected areas: lessons learned and best practices
- Technological tools for environmental monitoring and surveillance in marine protected areas and their legal implication
- Development of integrated public policies that articulate the different levels of government for the effective protection of the marine ecosystem
09
Diversity of international, regional and national regulations for the conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems
- Conceptual framework and guiding principles: In-depth analysis of the fundamental principles of marine environmental law, including the precautionary principle, the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, and the ecosystem approach applied to the management and conservation of marine ecosystems.
- Key International Conventions: Detailed study of essential international treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Barcelona Convention, the London Convention and the Ramsar Convention, with emphasis on its provisions for the protection of the marine environment and biodiversity.
- Specific Regional Instruments: Extensive evaluation of regional agreements regulating sustainable use and conservation in different geographical areas, such as the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution (MAP), the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Black Sea (Accobams), and other instruments in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic.
- National regulations: Technical comparative between state-of-the-art marine protection laws, considering regulatory frameworks for states with extensive coastline and high marine biodiversity, such as Spain, Mexico, Australia and Norway. Analysis of how national legislation integrates and executes international obligations.
- Implementation and compliance mechanisms: Exploration of the monitoring, reporting and verification systems (MRV) applicable to marine environmental management, including inspection procedures, administrative sanctions, environmental responsibility and litigation in marine matters.
- Public policies and national and regional strategies for the conservation of marine ecosystems: design, planning and evaluation of management plans for marine protected areas, areas of special protection for seabirds, and marine ecological corridors, incorporating scientific and socioeconomic criteria.
- Economic and financial instruments: Analysis of economic tools for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, such as payments for ecosystem services, tax incentives, capture quotas markets, and international cooperation funds.
- Relationship between marine environmental law and other legal branches: maritime law, fisheries, sustainable tourism and environmental civil responsibility in marine contexts.
- Casuistry and international and national jurisprudence: Detailed study of emblematic cases that illustrate conflicts and relevant sentences in terms of marine environmental law, with a focus on dispute resolution mechanisms, international courts and national courts.
- Future perspectives and emerging challenges: impact of climate change, ocean acidification, legal frameworks for underwater mining and marine bioprospecting, and normative harmonization for sustainable ocean governance.
10
Environmental responsibility, ecological crimes and repair of marine damage
- Liability for marine environmental damage
- European Environmental Responsibility Directive
- Crimes against the marine environment
- Vessel contamination and criminal prosecution
- Economic assessment of environmental damage
- Restoration of damaged ecosystems
- International Compensation Funds
- Climate and ocean litigation
- Access to environmental justice
- Analysis of emblematic cases
11
Master’s Final Project in Marine Environmental Law
- International legal framework in marine environmental law: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Convemar), Paris Convention, Barcelona Convention and the most relevant regional treaties
- Legal instruments for the protection of marine biodiversity: Marine protected areas (AMP), regulation of extractive activities and control of invasive species
- Rights and obligations of coastal states and coastal states in the conservation of marine ecosystems: competences in the EEZ, continental shelf and high seas
- Critical analysis of innovative legal strategies for integrated coastal and marine management (GIZC), including maritime spatial planning and strategic environmental assessment
- National and international regulations on marine pollution: control of discharges, discharges, contamination by plastics and dangerous chemicals
- Legal protection of critical habitats and endangered species: Protocols for monitoring, restoration and environmental compensation within the current legal framework
- Environmental responsibility and legal mechanisms for the repair of damage to marine ecosystems, including liability for cross-border damage and environmental judgment mechanisms
- Practical application of relevant marine environmental jurisprudence: analysis of paradigmatic cases and their impact on contemporary legislation
- Design and elabouration of the Master’s Final Project: Development of innovative legal proposals for conservation and sustainable use, integrating scientific, technical and legal aspects
- Advanced methodologies of legal research applied to marine environmental law, with emphasis on sustainability strategies, marine governance and public participation
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Lawyers and consultants seeking specialization in the growing regulation of the marine environment.Environmental managers who need legal tools for the protection of marine ecosystems.Public officials from coastal and maritime administrations interested in applying environmental legislation.Maritime professionals (shipowners, shipping companies, ports) who require regulatory compliance and en
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
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Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Advising on the sustainable management of marine resources
- 02Assess the environmental impact of maritime activities
- 03Develop marine environmental regulatory compliance strategies
- 04Design and implement policies for the protection of the marine environment
- 05Effectively litigating in cases of marine environmental damage
- 06Managing marine conservation projects
Careers
Career Opportunities
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02Marine Environmental Consultant: Environmental impact assessment, sustainability strategies, regulatory compliance.
03Marine Project Manager: Planning and execution of conservation, restoration, and sustainable development projects in coastal and marine areas.
04Lawyer specializing in marine environmental law: Legal advice to companies, organizations, and public administrations on maritime legislation, marine pollution, and natural resources.
05Public Administration Technician: Development of public policies, management of natural resources, and environmental monitoring and enforcement in the marine environment.
06Researcher in marine environmental law: Development of scientific and legal research on topics related to the protection of the marine environment.
07Sustainability Manager in companies in the maritime sector: Implementation of sustainable practices, environmental risk management, and sustainability reporting.
08Environmental Educator: Design and development of educational programs on the importance of the marine environment and the need for its protection.
09Environmental Auditor: Evaluation of compliance with environmental regulations in companies and institutions in the maritime sector.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Marine environmental law
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Marine environmental law
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
```htmlAcademic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's Degree in Law, Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology or related field; or accredited professional experience in the field of environmental law or marine resource management.Language proficiency:Recommended: English, level B2 or higher, for consulting international legislation and literature.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of degree, academic transcript, ID/Passport, cover letter (indicating interest in Marine Environmental Law).Specific requirements:Basic knowledge of environmental legislation and maritime law (desirable).
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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