The 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea: A Midstream Assessment of the Effectiveness of Article 309

This Article examines the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the stand that it takes on reservations. The author argues that article 309 prohibits all reservations, while article 310 permits declarations and statements, provided these do not purport to exclude or modify the legal effect of the Convention. The author examines all declarations to determine if the letter and spirit of articles 309 and 310 are being met. The author further offers some observations about the effects of article 309 on participation levels in the treaty.