Mark J. Spalding
TITANIC LAW AND POLICY: How a Shipwreck Changed International Law — and Why It Matters Today
On the night of April 14–15, 1912, more than 1,500 people died in the icy waters of the North Atlantic when the RMS Titanic slipped beneath the surface. The world …
Honoring Black History Month: Richard Etheridge, Maritime Hero
Written by Mark J. Spalding (The Ocean Foundation) and Jordan Morgan (University of Maine School of Law) In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we honor Richard …
The New NOAA Rule on Deep Seabed Mining: A Dangerous Shortcut That Undermines Ocean Stewardship
On 21 January 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration finalized a rule that could fundamentally alter the future of our global ocean—and not for the better. By consolidating exploration …
Statement on Environmental Risks from Shadow Fleet Operations in Caribbean Waters
Photo taken by Jeffry Surianto.
The Skipper Seizure: When Good Ships Get Caught in the Shadow Fleet Dragnet
The recent U.S. seizure of the Venezuelan oil tanker Skipper raises uncomfortable questions about how sanctions enforcement can inadvertently undermine the very maritime safety standards that protect our ocean. While …
COP30: A Turning Point for Ocean-Climate Action?
As the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change concludes in Belém, Brazil, the ocean community has reason for both cautious optimism and …
The Lighthouses of Maine
Steadfast, serene, immovable, the sameYear after year, through all the silent night -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Lighthouses have their own enduring attraction. For those who come from the sea, it is …
Getting in Rhythm with Summer
June is Ocean Month and is the first full month of summer in the northern hemisphere. Usually, that is a hectic time for anyone in ocean conservation as gatherings are …
Reconnecting with the Sea
Those of us who spend a lot of time in windowless conference rooms discussing the future of the ocean often find ourselves regretting that we don’t have more time on, …
The $3.2 Trillion Blue Economy That Too Many Investors Are Missing
Reflections from World Ocean Week 2025 As I write this, I am struck by the convergence of conversations I’ve had this week. From the Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco …
An Ocean Of Gratitude – Mark J. Spalding
When I stand next to the ocean, her magic once again influences me. I feel the deep mystical pull of my spirit toward the water’s edge, which has always been …
