For centuries the "freedom of the sea" principle prevailed on the oceans.
In the 20th century, however, technological breakthroughs in navigation, fishing
and ocean exploration coupled with the population explosion caused conflicting
claims to the oceans and their resources. 

Since the 1950 the United Nations has been the central forum for the development of the international law of the sea. The First United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS I) was held in Geneva in 1958, and it was succeeded by a Second Conference in 1960. The Third UNCLOS Conference was entrusted with the task of adopting a convention to regulate all ocean space, its uses and resources. After eight years of negotiations, in 1982, the Conference approved the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This treaty, sometimes described as "the constitution of the oceans" was, however, controversial, and it took another twelve years until it entered into force. 

The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) provides advice on the implementation
of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and conducts monitoring and research in areas relevant to the Convention. 

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)  has been established to settle disputes concerning
the interpretation or application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  

The International Maritime Organization - IMO is responsible for international conventions and agreements concering safety at sea and marine pollution. For more information on the IMO, see DagDok: section IMO.