Abstract
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Applying the law of the sea in the polar regions creates great difficulties. This indicates a need to reassess the traditional notions of the law of the sea. The polar regions are distinct because they increasingly have their own separate legal regimes. These issues are examined from the perspective of six bipolar law of the sea problems. A determination is made as to whether the law of the sea deals adequately with the unique geographical, climatic and jurisdictional problems which arise in the polar regions and if a suigeneris approach to these issues is required.