Governing fishing stocks in Northeast Asia's disputed waters: Preventing a 'tragedy of the commons'?

This article examines fish stocks in Northeast Asia's disputed waters in the context of the 'tragedy of the commons.' For fishing purposes, these waters are in an interim condition between free and closed seas; the absence of a specific coastal state governing them could trigger a tragedy of the commons unless appropriate institutions involving all the concerned states are established. This article discusses the extent to which the apparent weaknesses in texts of relevant bilateral fisheries agreements have been overcome in this region through practical implementation and states' efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It also reveals inducements and obstacles to the prevention of a tragedy of the commons.