Journal of Oceanography
Year:2024 | Volume:15 | Issue:58|Papers Count:10

Background and Theoretical Foundations: The sea is an important place where borders and border arrangements are multiplying, and it is a place where countries' maritime surveillance policies and strategies can be examined. The goal of national governments in maritime interception is to make their maritime territories impervious to undesirable elements and at the same time remain permeable to desirable groups and individuals as well as certain goods and services. The immigration policies of destination countries play an important role in the expansion of migration routes and smuggling operations. At the same time as the authorities make offshore arrangements, people smuggling operations also change their tricks and routes. All over the world, the intensification of border measures leads to the complexity of smuggling networks, and they are likely to take measures that increase the risk and cost of migrants' journeys. Interception at sea provides the possibility of spatial and geographical stretching of borders and has made maritime borders mobile. Migrants who are detained at sea are basically arrested for a crime they have not yet committed because they have not yet crossed the borders of their destination country. Countries of origin, destination and transit have each adopted different maritime strategies to contain and block the sea routes of illegal immigrants and it is important to identify and analyze these strategies. Methodology: This research is descriptive-analytical in nature. Part of the information of this research has been prepared and analyzed through documents and libraries, and in the other part, it has been tried as much as possible from the information and data available on the websites of the International Organization for Migration, EU border guard and other databases related to migrants and maritime transit should be used.  In this article, three types of spatial strategies in the field of maritime border arrangements in three separate regions are examined. In all three discussed regions, the destination countries take measures based on the concept of externalization. These measures are carried out with the aim of preventing immigrants from entering the sovereign territory and preventing access to a range of legal rights, social services and economic facilities. Findings: The argument of this research is that the new geographies of executive measures have gained a special place and a set of spatial tracking strategies has cast a shadow over all territories where executive measures are applied. This research tries to identify these types of patterns in areas where national governments have invested heavily in maritime surveillance. To trace these patterns, the United States' maritime interception strategies and arrangements in the Caribbean and Atlantic Oceans, Australia's actions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the operations of EU member states in the Mediterranean have been used as examples Conclusion: The investigation of the maritime interception strategy shows that the national governments exercise their sovereignty with a geographically flexible method and while encroaching on the territory of others, they push their borders to the offshore side. As a result, the peripheral areas of the dominant powers' sovereignty are both ambiguous and flexible. The borders of powerful destination countries are less permeable and according to maritime interception strategies, they have expanded towards the sovereign territory of other countries. On the contrary, the borders of less powerful countries of origin and transit have become more permeable and are increasingly out of the control of their sovereignty.

Background and Theoretical Foundations: Currently, marketing in Iranian ports is in the form of commodity services, and the port managers only focus on the owners of goods, shipping lines, navigators and crews of vessels and investors, as the key customers of the ports, and there is no specific strategy to create a long-term plan and National determination to develop competitiveness in ports based on service-oriented is not observed. Therefore, the first step is to identify important and outstanding topics, keywords and titles in the articles and researches published on the subject of port services. Searching in the range of published articles, the titles of the port ecosystem and the logic of service superiority are important in gaining customer satisfaction and increasing the competitiveness of ports. From this point of view, the articles published in recent years in domestic and foreign magazines were examined and studied, and by using conventional and documented methods, the economic, social, political, technical, managerial and environmental aspects were analyzed in line with The competitiveness of ports should be aligned with the logic of service dominance Methodology: The method used includes the purposeful study of articles available in reliable scientific databases such as Scopus and Science Direct related to the logic of dominance of services in ports, so that 2511 articles were identified between the years 2019 and 2023 and Using the VOS viewer software, a detailed study was done based on the title, keywords, abstract and content of the articles, and the results of the relationship between the topics and titles were obtained in the form of scientific maps. The conceptual models related to the effective factors in the main phenomenon and the main concepts and categories of swimming were explained based on the qualitative study according to the opinion of experts. Findings: The results and findings of the bibliographic method in the published articles related to ports show that the ecosystem of ports is related to several issues, which include the following: Infrastructure, governance, policy, energy, transportation, container management, resilience, covid-19, climate change, sustainability, environment, risk assessment, machine learning, risk assessment, network analysis, supply chain, communication, positioning system, regulation, port, coast and shipping management, genetic algorithm, cloud computing and multi-objective optimization. Conclusion: By applying the steps of scientology and research in the articles presented in the world's prestigious scientific databases, the researcher has extracted the results related to the topics, titles and keywords, it is necessary to mention that the results obtained in the scientific map of the articles, topics In the background, they acknowledge the research, also a conceptual model is presented by considering the effective factors in the competitiveness of ports with important and practical aspects. More precisely, it determines the competitiveness of ports.

Background and Theoretical Foundations: Sea-based development is a field of study that includes sea-related economic activities that are often related to other economic sectors such as tourism, maritime transport, energy, fishing and fisheries, trade, etc. Iran also has a special position in terms of geography and geopolitical position in this field, having maritime borders in the north and south of the country, especially in the Persian Gulf region. However, the sea-oriented development in Iran and the Persian Gulf faces challenges, therefore, the current research, with a future research approach, seeks to analyze the political challenges of sea-oriented development in this water area. Methodology:  The type of applied research is a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative). Its statistical population includes 30 experts and experts in the field of security, military, maritime, political issues and researchers of political geography and political science, which was carried out by non-probability and purposeful sampling until the theoretical saturation of the data. Data analysis was done using the structural equation model and MicMac software. Findings: The findings of the research showed the oppressive Western sanctions against the maritime sector and the country's ports and shipping organization (21+), changing the political direction of international corridors and laying the groundwork for Iran's removal from these corridors (20+), the lack of development of political and diplomatic relations with some countries. region (15+), failure to transform the country into a world trade corridor center due to political reasons (12+), lack of autonomy and freedom of action of maritime companies in the country (11+), the influence and increase in the number of foreign ships and military vessels in Persian Gulf (10+), not paying enough attention to the political economy of the sea (7+), the presence of extra-regional countries in the Persian Gulf region (7+), the non-development of the country's sea-oriented geopolitical position in the world arena (5+) and maritime conflicts The head of shared marine resources and illegal entry into the water areas of the country (5+) are the key and final political challenges of sea-oriented development in the Persian Gulf region. Conclusion:  The result of the research shows that the sea-oriented development in the Persian Gulf is facing frequent challenges, and solving these challenges can provide the basis for the development of the country. In line with this research, suggestions were made.

Background and Objectives: Maritime transportation plays an important role in the development of trade due to advantages such as low cost and high volume of cargo handling. Therefore, creating the necessary conditions for the development of maritime transportation is of high strategic and economic importance. Ensuring maritime safety is an inherent duty and requirement of international maritime conventions for port countries and in this regard, dredging operations are carried out by countries to provide and maintain sufficient depth in waterways and ports. In addition to the necessity of dredging for ensuring maritime safety, dredging operations and increasing the depth of waterways are also of great importance for the commercial and economic development of countries. Nowadays, in the maritime industry, considering the global approach to economies of scale, large ships are used to reduce cargo transportation costs. Therefore, ensuring sufficient depth for the navigation of large vessels has become an important factor in the competitiveness of ports. Consequently, port dredging operations have a role beyond a governmental duty in ensuring the safe passage of ships and are considered as a fundamental requirement for increasing the share and position of countries in the maritime transport industry, requiring long-term management and planning to achieve strategic goals in the commercial and economic development of countries. In Iran, there are various challenges in carrying out dredging operations, especially in maintenance dredging. Increasing productivity and reducing operational challenges require a comprehensive and long-term planning approach. Since the main indicator of a long-term strategic plan is comprehensiveness, identifying effective factors related to port dredging operations and analyzing the impact and susceptibility of each factor are fundamental components. Therefore, this article attempts to identify and determine effective, influential, and dependent factors in the issue of port dredging using the structural analysis method. Methods: The present study, is practical in terms of purpose. Initial data collection, was conducted using an online questionnaire and open-ended interviews with authorities and experts in the field of dredging. The extracted topics and challenges of dredging were categorized in final Delphi sessions into 5 categories and ultimately, influential and critical factors in the issue of port dredging were identified and determined by using the method of cross impact analysis and the MICMAC software. Findings: The cross-impact analysis shows that the legal and contractual issues as well as human resources are among the most effective factors on dredging management, which have the least dependency on other factors, and as the most critical indicators, the system status and changes are highly influenced by them. "Technical-engineering improvement of dredging operations" is also another effective factor in the system, which can play a key role in the system's performance in the short-term and long-term. On the other hand, the most important outputs of the system (factors with the highest dependency) are "maintaining the safety of ports and waterways" and "continuity and development of maritime trade", which are very sensitive to the evolution of the influential and dual variables. "Control and reduction of negative dredging impacts" has also been identified as a highly dependent factor belonging to system outputs. Conclusion: Identifying the issues that have the greatest impact on improving the efficiency of dredging operations and at the same time have a high degree of modifiability, helps the authorities and stakeholders to have appropriate prioritization of the issues and challenges ahead and plan the allocation of capital and time to solve them based on the main priorities.

Background and Theoretical Foundations: Risk management in maritime transport contracts is of significant importance due to the complex nature and specific conditions of these contracts. This research provides a comprehensive examination of the concept of risk management in maritime transport contracts, analyzing key factors, existing risks, and effective solutions in this field. Maritime transport, as a crucial component of global trade, faces various risks including natural factors such as storms, adverse weather conditions, and legal and operational issues. The paper explores theoretical concepts and legal tools related to risk management and emphasizes the importance of accurate identification and assessment of risks. Methodology: The paper employs descriptive and analytical research methods to investigate risk management in maritime transport contracts. The descriptive method focuses on identifying the features and legal and operational requirements, while the analytical method concentrates on analyzing complex relationships and causes of risks and identifying effective strategies. The combination of these methods provides a comprehensive and detailed picture of the current situation and a deeper analysis of risks. Findings: The research identifies and assesses various risks in maritime transport contracts and proposes suitable solutions for mitigating these risks. A key section of the paper analyzes the legal requirements and solutions for risk management, including accurate risk identification, assessment of impacts, and implementation of effective strategies for controlling and financing risks. Additionally, the paper examines risk allocation mechanisms such as exemption clauses, limitation of liability, indemnity clauses, penalty clauses, and insurance, and analyzes their impact on risk management. Conclusion: The research findings indicate that effective risk management in maritime transport contracts requires a comprehensive and systematic approach. This approach should include accurate identification of risks, proper assessment of their impacts, and implementation of suitable strategies for risk control and financing. The paper highlights that proper interaction and exchange of accurate information between contract parties and the establishment of clear and unambiguous terms are crucial factors in reducing risks and preventing disputes. Finally, it is recommended that the use of the scientific and practical methods presented can enhance risk management processes and contribute to reducing financial and legal losses.

Background and Theoretical Foundations: The Caspian Sea is the largest land-locked body of water in the world. The geographical location and the presence of hydrocarbon resources (oil and gas) have made the Caspian region geopolitically important and valuable not only for coastal countries but also for major world powers; However, the uncertainty of the legal rules and principles governing the Caspian Sea throughout history, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union and The limited scope of the existing treaties between the Soviet Union and Iran, became a facilitator of the divergence of opinions . Additionally, the unilateral acts taken by coastal states in the Caspian Sea made reaching an agreement very difficult, so that finally, after 26 years of negotiations between the Caspian coastal states, in August 12, 2018, the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was signed by all of the Caspian Sea coastal states. This treaty succeeded in specifying the criteria for the delimitation of maritime zones, especially at the surface and the water column, and sporadically addressed the sovereignty, jurisdiction and the scope of the exercise of sovereign rights of coastal states. Methodology: In this article, an attempt has been made to use the descriptive / analytical method and using library sources, taking into account the provisions of the Aktau Convention as the Caspian Sea Constitution and other related instruments of the region, of which all the Caspian states are members, the issues of sovereignty, jurisdiction and the quantity and quality of exercising the sovereign rights of these states in the Caspian Sea zones should be recognized and investigated. The most important of these instruments are: “Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea” (2003) and its protocols, “Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic biological resources of the Caspian Sea”. and “Agreement on cooperation in the field of security in the Caspian Sea” (2010) and its protocols. In addition to these instruments, the references of the Aktau Convention to the principles and rules of international law, makes it necessary to study these sources. Findings: This article attempts to examine and evaluate the various dimensions of sovereignty, jurisdiction and sovereign rights of the Caspian Sea coastal states in the central and challenging issues as follows: stability and security, transportation in water and air, protection of the Caspian Sea environment and scientific researches in The four zones of the surface and water column which are: internal waters, territorial waters, fishing zone and common water zone, focusing on treaties between all coastal states, related international principles and rules that are directly or indirectly endorsed by the Aktau Convention. Although it is undeniable that the Aktau Convention was modeled after the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, known as the Constitution of the Sea, However according to the definition of the Caspian Sea as a "the body of water " in the introduction of the Aktau Convention, the nature of the Caspian Sea is rejected even in the form of closed and semi-closed seas, and on this basis, the Caspian Sea is excluded from the provisions of the Law of the Sea Convention; Especially since not all the Caspian Sea coastal states are members of the latter convention. Therefore, some legal researches endeavors to compare, align and even examine the applicability of the provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea to the challenging issues of the Aktau Convention and the Caspian Sea; Although they are valuable from a theoretical point of view, they are not enforceable and ultimately the results of the comparison can be used in future protocols or future amendments of the Aktau Convention and related instruments. Therefore, to identify the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the coastal states should focus on the Aktau Convention and the instruments and rules referred to in this Convention. Conclusion: The Caspian Sea coastal states have absolute sovereignty in the internal waters and relative sovereignty in the territorial waters, as the coastal states has certain limitations in terms of jurisdiction in this zone. The Aktau Convention for the fishing zone, by determining the exclusive right to exploitation marine living resources, recognizes the sovereign rights of the coastal state related to this matter and in the common water zone, it acknowledges collective sovereign by providing for the right of use for all coastal states with an emphasis on the principle of cooperation.

Background and Objectives: Studying the distribution of marine mammals and identifying the factors influencing their habitat selection are among the crucial aspects for understanding the ecological conditions of these animals and the various threats they face, in order to develop conservation plans for coastal ecosystems. The Persian Gulf, as one of the most important marine areas globally, possesses diverse and highly complex ecology, where many species are endangered due to various human threats. The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) is one of the key marine seen in coastal areas and shallow waters of Persian Gulf, and its population is declining according to the International :union: for Conservation of Nature s Red List. Mousa Bay in the northwestern Persian Gulf is an important, but highly industrialised habitat for this species. This study aims to model the habitat suitability of the humpback dolphin, identifying not only potential marine habitats but also the most influential physical factors affecting their habitat preferences Methods: Field studies were conducted in the fall and winter of two consecutive years 1399-1400 Also local communities' reports were utilized to identify the species' presence areas, then marked on the regional map and entered into ArcGIS software. A total of 30 presence points of this species were recorded and then entered into the model along with environmental variables. Environmental factors applied as variables affecting species presence included chlorophyll concentration, sea surface temperature, salinity, water depth, seabed slope, distance from the coast, and distance from the inlet channels of the Mahshahr estuarine area (northwest Persian Gulf). Required variables for modeling were prepared using geographic information system (GIS), and finally, the MaxEnt model was used to generate a habitat suitability map. The MaxEnt method is a widely used tool for modeling habitat suitability and predicting species distribution patterns using presence data and environmental variables. Finding: The results showed that the MaxEnt model performed well in this study, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91, indicating high accuracy and efficiency of the model in identifying the most suitable distribution areas. Furthermore, water depth, slope and distance to coast were identified as the most important parameters in identifying suitable areas, and the probability of humpback dolphin presence in the vicinity of the main inlet channel of the Mahshahr estuarine area was higher compared to other areas. According to the findings of this study, only 10% of the area had high suitability for the species habitat, 15.98% of the area (32.30 square kilometers) had moderate suitability, and ultimately, the highest percentage of the area, accounting for 75.95% (140.25 square kilometers), either lacked suitability for species presence or had low suitability. Conclusion: Since the Monitoring and assessing marine biodiversity relies upon adequate and accurate knowledge of population and distribution patterns of ecologically important species and because of dense maritime activities and accelerated industrialisation together with placement of the coastal cities of Mahshahr and Sarbandar have resulted in extreme disturbances to natural habitats of the area.,This study provides a basis for monitoring humpback dolphin and assessing ecosystem health of northern Persian Gulf

Background and Theoretical Foundations:  Efforts in economic development, financing of projects, and promotion of new technologies can be considered some of the most important achievements of the entry of foreign investors, especially multinational companies. Therefore, in the current world, studying the role of direct or indirect foreign investment in multinational companies is of strategic importance for the development of the world economy and business. In the past few decades, multinational companies have played a significant role in the economic and commercial development of the world, especially the growth of developing countries such as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore, and India. Methodology: In this research, using the analytical descriptive method, the opportunities and challenges of multinational companies' investment in Iran were investigated by reviewing the investment capacities in the marine sector. Findings: The findings of this research indicate that if the investment conditions in developing countries and transition economies are guaranteed, international investors will be more willing to participate in such markets, especially in sea ice, considering the capacities They will have the potential of Iran on Makran coasts and islands and Persian Gulf coasts. Conclusion: According to the words of the president, Iran needs 200 billion dollars of foreign investment for 8% growth. Therefore, multinational companies have significant power and influence, especially in the development of marine industries, due to their economic facilities and advanced technology. In the marine industry sector, developing countries have less exploitation capacity than developed countries due to the harsh working environment. The role of these companies has been proven as part of the current economic reality of the contemporary world. Therefore, investing countries can control the activities and performance of transnational companies through the adoption of policies and by creating political, social, and economic stability and formulating rules and regulations in the fields of currency, wages and salaries, and natural resources and the amount of development of ports, roads and communication networks should use the resources of these companies for all-round development. In recent years, the world has witnessed a new and growing type of foreign direct investment caused by transnational companies. The relations of developing countries With advanced countries and the impact of their interaction with transnational companies, it has provided the basis for the development process in such countries. In terms of challenges, the most important challenges and investments of multinational companies in Iran are the government's interference in the economy, strict laws and regulations that limit the activities of international companies, such as Article 81 of the Constitution, and international sanctions based on America. Therefore, if the investment conditions in developing countries and transition economies like Iran are guaranteed, international investors will have more desire to participate in such markets. This allows the host countries to take advantage of comparative advantages, economic growth, job creation, and access to modern knowledge and technology to produce competitive goods in the international arena. Therefore, accelerating the flow of foreign investment provides mutual benefits for host countries such as Iran, considering the country's need for 200 billion dollars of foreign capital. Therefore, to get the most benefit from foreign investment, it is necessary to ensure political stability and economic security, improve infrastructure, and establish and implement appropriate laws and regulations. In the meantime, the need to pay special attention to free zones and sea-oriented development and investment in this sector as controlled geographical areas and the most susceptible spaces for attracting foreign investment seems necessary. The maritime sector has a very high potential due to the approval of sea-oriented development policies, and the flow of domestic and foreign capital in this sector can institutionalize the comprehensive development of the country due to the huge capacity of this sector. Finally, economic sanctions are the most important political factors hindering foreign investment attraction. This is while changing internal laws and regulations, including banking and financial laws, adopting the same behavior and the same approach with domestic and foreign investors, establishing investment guarantees, making the risks related to investment predictable, facilitating the business environment, and Abolishing economic sanctions and establishing constructive communication and resolving disputes with the countries of the region, developed countries, especially the European :union:, and resolving disputes with the United States, ultimately making the business and investment environment competitive in the country for the presence of different blocs can be conditions provided that the maximum investment in different parts of the country.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the recorded CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort) and standardized CPUE of five fish species: Croaker (Otolithes ruber), Grounter(Pomadasys kaakan), Grouper (Epinephelus coioides), Black Pomfret(Parastromateus niger) and Sea Bream(Acanthopagrus latus) along the southern coasts of Iran. CPUE is used as an index of relative abundance in stock assessments. However, this index can be influenced by factors such as fishing gear, fishing structure, hanging ratio, mesh size, ecological conditions of the study area, and the target species’ abundance in active fishing. To mitigate these effects on catchability, standardized CPUE is utilized. Methods: Data was gathered from field studies conducted by the Iranian Fisheries Organization from 2016 to 2020 along the southern coasts of Iran (Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Sistan and Baluchestan). The fishing method used was gillnetting, one of the most substantial fishing methods in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to standardize and predict CPUE values based on variables such as fishing region, year, and month. For analyzing CPUE across different provinces and years, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range test were employed for mean comparisons. Findings:The greatest discrepancy between recorded CPUE (kg/roll/day) and standardized CPUE (kg/roll/day) for Otolithes ruber was found in Sistan and Baluchestan province with values of 12.7 and 21.1 (kg/roll/day) in 2020, respectively, while the smallest discrepancy was in Hormozgan province with values of 3.1 and 3.1 (kg/roll/day) in 2018. For Pomadasys kaakan, the largest discrepancy was in Khuzestan province with values of 8.6 and 3.7 (kg/roll/day)in 2016, and the smallest was in Hormozgan with values of 0.3 and 2.8 (kg/roll/day) in 2017, and in Khuzestan with values of 2.3 and 2.5 (kg/roll/day) in 2020. For Parastromateus niger, the greatest discrepancy was in Sistan and Baluchestan with values of 34.4 and 27.2 (kg/roll/day) in 2016, and the smallest in Khuzestan with values of 2.1 and 2.5 (kg/roll/day) in 2018. For Epinephelus coioides, the greatest discrepancy in Hormozgan was with values of 4.0 and 2.4 (kg/roll/day) in 2017, and the smallest in Hormozgan with values of 2.2 and 2.3 (kg/roll/day) in 2019. For Acanthopagrus latus, the greatest discrepancy in Khuzestan with values of 7.4 and 5.2 in 2020, and the smallest in Hormozgan with values of 1.3 and 1.3 (kg/roll/day) in 2018. Conclusion: Fluctuations in CPUE can be influenced by factors such as the design of fishing gear, captain’s experience, technological advancements, environmental conditions, fish distribution and the factors affecting it, fishing pressure, efficiency of fishing fleets, and the manner of stock exploitation. Since CPUE serves as a hypothetical representative for the fish stock abundance index and holds significant importance in stock assessments and the examination of fishery stock statuses, and in light of the global decline in fishing trends both from the sea and inland waters, the investigation of these factors in fishery studies appears necessary and essential.

comprehensive and integrated approach that provides new capacities to improve the security of coastal village policies. Environmental justice, as a key approach in the policies of coastal villages, seeks to balance the needs of the human-natural environment and tries to guarantee policies in these areas. Methodology: The current research method is based on the content analysis of the environmental justice literature with a focus on rural policy making, and by defining the entry and exit criteria, it has been tried to extract the most reliable statistical population of articles from the Scopus database. The stages of literature identification, two stages of identification and screening management of English-language articles were carried out, and finally, 46 articles were analyzed and interpreted as samples. Findings: It was found that the unique experience of rural areas, despite being common on a planetary scale, can be used in different ways according to the policy system of the countries. In a way, it was shown in the research process that the policy fields need fundamental changes for more adaptation in terms of economy, mobilization of local knowledge, and agricultural ecology. Also, the need for the presence of multiple actors in the rural development flow, especially civil institutions as representatives and advocates of vulnerable rural groups, can help to streamline development. Conclusion: It was found that the unique experience of rural areas, despite being common on a planetary scale, can be used in different ways according to the policy system of the countries. In a way, it was shown in the research process that the policy fields need fundamental changes for more adaptation in terms of economy, mobilization of local knowledge, and agricultural ecology. Also, the need for the presence of multiple actors in the rural development flow, especially civil institutions as representatives and advocates of vulnerable rural groups, can help to streamline development.