Abstract: The United Nat ions Co vent ion o n the Law of the Se a entered into for ce on 16 No vember, 1994 and the pr ovi sio ns related to the explor at ion and explo itat io n, co nservat io n and manag ement o f marine liv ing re so ur ces have a lready pro duced and w ill co nt inue to produce grea t impact o n marine f isheries pro duct io n and management . Based on analysis of the prov isions o f the C onvent ion and pr actices o f establishing exclusive eco nomic zo ne and o f implement ing reg ime of the high seas by many co asta l states, it is co ncluded that the develo pment of the f isheries reg ime is in the direct ion o f be nef icia l to co astal states, and that distant w ate r f ishing states have to co operate w ith co astal states and accept the duty a nd responsibility, as the Co nventio n pr ov ides, for the conserv ation of the mar ine liv ing resources, in o rder to ensure the sustainable development of dista nt w ater f isheries. In the light of real ity o f Chinese f isher ies, the demand on manag ement and po ssibility of adverse ef fect s on hig h seas f ishing , af ter the entry into fo rce o f the Conve nt io n, are discussed, and some suggest ions a re made.