If no one owns open waters, is it legal to dump toxic waste there? Who would stop you?

Question

Couldn't you do this openly? Who has authority over the open ocean?

Answer 1

It is very illegal.  The fines and jail time you would spend wouldn't be worth it.  You think our jails are bad try another country's.  

Answer 2

Nations have authority to enforce both their own laws and international law within their territorial waters.  Most nations also have extraterritorial anti-dumping regulations.  This means, for example that if you are an American and dump in the ocean, you can be prosecuted in American courts even though you were in international waters at the time you committed the offense.  In international waters, international law and the UN charter state that ANY capable body may enforce international law.

Answer 3

The Coast Guard, they are backed by the U.S. Government. Besides there are animals in the ocean as well as humans who swim in it.

Answer 4

International agreements like the Geneva convention on high seas

and

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

among other more customary laws.

These laws regulate the open waters and would look into such cases.

Answer 5

Even if it's technically legal, it's wrong. What, are you cooking something that isn't food?

Answer 6

Each country has it own terrtorial waters . After that it is international waters and is controlled. All the same by treaty There is no such thing as uncontrolled waters by that. OK

Answer 7

it is covered under international laws between countrys but it would be pretty difficult to catch someone but with satilites now who knows