One of the most important challenges of our times is to attain balanced development. The author of this article considers issues connected with balanced development in the context ofprotecting the maritime environment. Two principles are most important here: the principle of prevention and the principle that the polluter pays. The principle of prevention has the highest place in the catalogue of the principles of international environmental protection law. It is based on the concept that environmental protection aims are best achieved through proactive policies. Alongside prevention, the principle that the polluter pays has an important role in trying to attain balanced development. This principle refers to the fact that the person that causes environmental damage must cover the costs of this.