On the Merits of Heritage Informed Coastal Wellbeing (HICW): Assessing our Common Maritime Heritage as a Governance Model

Abstract

Heritage Informed Coastal Wellbeing (HICW) is a novel model proposed here as utilizing maritime cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, to illustrate the temporal, geographical and cultural links humans have with coastal environments. To that end, it can not only inform how societies govern and utilize their ocean spaces, but through heritage regulatory frameworks, guide responses to climate change. Through an analysis of broad maritime law, maritime cultural heritage itself, environmental assessments and finally on how people generate wellbeing from proximity to the sea, this article explores the legitimacy of HICW as a governance model. Through case studies, the model’s legitimacy and limitations in the Canadian Arctic and the South China Sea (SCS) are addressed. I concentrate on two specific research questions: 1) how maritime heritage can inform coastal wellbeing and 2) if such heritage regulation can be used to generate cooperative ocean governance in areas of authoritative, legal, or governance dispute, will guide discussion on how a HICW model can function as a marine, environmental, and regional governance framework.