Designations of large Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) triggered a controversial debate within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) concerning the legal basis of PSSAs, the relationship between the IMO's PSSA guidelines and UNCLOS, as well as the competency of IMO to adopt mandatory protective measures in these areas. As a result, IMO conducted a review process which led to substantially updated guidelines adopted in late 2005.

"Designations of large Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) triggered a controversial debate within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) concerning the legal basis of PSSAs, the relationship between the IMO's PSSA guidelines and UNCLOS, as well as the competency of IMO to adopt mandatory protective measures in these areas. As a result, IMO conducted a review process which led to substantially updated guidelines adopted in late 2005.

The Marine Environment: Oceans under Threat.- The Oceans - Utilisation and Conflicts.- Threats to the Marine Environment: Pollution and Physical Damage.- Instruments to Protect Specific Marine Areas.- Protection of Specific Marine Areas.- Protection of Marine Areas in International Law - Basic Principles.- Marine Protected Areas in Multilateral Instruments.- Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas: an IMO Instrument to Protect Marine Areas.- Protection of the Marine Environment through IMO within the System of International Institutions.- Development and Structure of the PSSA Concept: Implementation and Coordination of Protective Measures.- Associated Protective Measures as the Essential Part of a PSSA.- The PSSA Concept - Analysis and Assessment.- Comparison between PSSAs and other Regimes in International Law.- Legal Quality of the PSSA Guidelines and their Effect on Jurisdiction to Implement and Enforce Protective Measures.- PSSAs and Ocean Governance: Current Interdependencies and Prospects for Future Developments.