Cooperative Hydrocarbon Development in the Ultra-Deepwater Boundary Region of the Gulf of Mexico, 2005-present. One of the most promising sources of ultra-deepwater hydrocarbons in the world is located on the Lower Tertiary Wilcox Trend, which overlies the U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mexico. This research examines the serious political and legal obstacles that impede the two nations from cooperating to develop these resources in an economically and environmentally effective manner.

Legal, Policy, and Management Strategies for Effective Stewardship of the Gulf of Mexico, 2006-present. Coordinated management of coastal and ocean policies and laws to minimize cumulative impacts has been rarely undertaken. This research effort evaluates strategies to support holistic, adaptive, and cooperative management of the Gulf of Mexico marine ecosystem.

Wetland and Coastal Habitat Conservation and Restoration, 2006-present. Creating a healthy, productive, and sustainable wetland and coastal habitat was established as a priority goal by the Governors’ Action Plan of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. The purpose of this research project is to identify and provide possible resolutions for federal/state environmental compliance issues and to streamline certain federal permitting requirements.

Emerging Energy Technologies Policy in the Gulf of Mexico, 2005-present. Emerging energy technologies such as offshore wind, marine current turbines, methane gas hydrates, offshore carbon dioxide sequestration, and others will be an increasingly important component of the nation’s energy policy in coming years. This initiative critically assesses gaps and conflicts in current policies and laws governing these offshore activities and recommends improvements in regulation and management.

Foreign Access to Shared Marine Genetic Materials, 2002-2004. Scientific and commercial interest in marine genetic materials as sources of drugs and other biotechnological uses is growing rapidly. This study examines one of the primary deterrents to future development of the industry, the lack of predictable and effective international and domestic legal rules governing ownership of these resources.

Trade-Related Disputes Over the Protection of Marine Living Resources, 1994-2000. The United States and other nations have had marine conservation policies reduced or eliminated due to rulings by dispute settlement bodies of trade organizations such as the WTO. This research comparatively studies the trade/environment implications of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the World Trade Organization.