MARINE & ENVIRONMENTAL
LAW INSTITUTE 

 
Dr. Meinhard Doelle, Associate Director
Dr. David VanderZwaag, Director

Oceans  «  Environment  « Sustainability
Law  Â«  Policy  Â« Governance 

Dalhousie Law School, with its location in the vibrant port city of Halifax, is internationally recognized for excellence in marine and environmental law teaching and research.

The 30 years of research excellence of the Dalhousie Law School Marine & Environmental Law Programme (MELP) faculty was formally recognized by the Dalhousie Board of Governors in 2004 with creation of the Marine & Environmental Law Institute (MEL Institute).  The Institute, which is housed in the Law School, carries out research and consultancy activities and also directs the MELP academic specialization.  Its current Director and primary researcher is the holder of an appointment as a senior Canada Research Chair in Ocean Law & Governance. In addition to their scholarly research and publication activities; MELP faculty, associates and staff carry out research projects and provide advisory services to agencies of the United Nations and regional organizations as well as assisting government departments and non-governmental organizations in Canada and internationally.

The Marine & Environmental Law Institute is also the editorial office of the Ocean Yearbook, a major international interdisciplinary annual publication, devoted to ocean affairs.  Dalhousie law students have the chance to gain experience working as research assistants on the Institute's research projects and workshops, and assisting with editing the Ocean Yearbook. 

The MEL Institute supports student collaboration in addressing environmental issues through the Environmental Law Students' Society and the East Coast Environmental Law Association, a non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental law education and advocacy.  The MEL Institute encourages interdisciplinary collaborations within the Dalhousie community including the School for Resource and Environmental Studies (SRES), the Marine Affairs Program (MAP), the International Development Studies (IDS)Program, the Centre for Foreign Policy Studies, and the recently established Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) led by the Department of Oceanography.  The MEL Institute also promotes national collaborations, for example, through the Ocean Management Research Network (OMRN).  International linkages include among others, the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands and the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law.