Marine Resources And EEZ

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Marine Resources – Economic significance and EEZ

Economic significance of Marine Resources

Marine energy

Marine energy or marine power (also sometimes referred to as ocean energy, ocean power, or marine and hydrokinetic energy) refers to the energy carried by ocean waves, tides, salinity, and ocean temperature differences. The movement of water in the world’s Oceans creates a vast store of kinetic energy, or energy in motion. Some of this energy can be harnessed to generate electricity to power homes, transport and industries.  

The term marine energy encompasses both wave power i.e. power from Surface Waves, and tidal power i.e. obtained from the kinetic energy of large bodies of moving water. Offshore wind power is not a form of marine energy, as wind power is derived from the wind, even if the wind turbines are placed over water.  The oceans have a tremendous amount of energy and are close to many if not most concentrated populations. Ocean energy has the potential of providing a substantial amount of new RENEWABLE ENERGY around the world.

Mineral resources in ocean

Oceans cover 70 percent of Earth’s surface, host a vast variety of geological processes responsible for the formation and concentration of mineral resources, and are the ultimate repository of many materials eroded or dissolved from the land surface. Hence, oceans contain vast quantities of materials that presently serve as major resources for humans. Today, direct extraction of resources is limited to salt; magnesium; placer gold, tin, titanium, and diamonds; and fresh water.  

Marine food resources

Food from sea is any form of sea life regarded as food by humans, prominently including fish and shellfish. Shellfish include various species of mollusks ( clams), crustaceans (shrimps), and echinoderms ( sea urchins). Historically, sea mammals such as whales and dolphins have been eaten as food, though that happens to a lesser extent in modern times. Edible sea Plants such as some Seaweeds and microalgae are widely eaten as sea vegetables around the world, especially in Asia. In North America, although not generally in the United Kingdom, the term “seafood” is extended to fresh water organisms eaten by humans, so all edible aquatic life may be referred to as “seafood”. For the sake of completeness, this ARTICLE is inclusive of all edible aquatic life.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is an area which is beyond, and is adjacent to, a given country’s territorial seas, and extends no more than 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) out from a country’s own coastlines. It can be seen that if the area for EEZ is overlapped and it is still less than 400 nautical miles, then it falls upon the respective states to delineate the actual boundaries of the coastlines. The area which is under the EEZ of a state gives them full rights to explore and exploit the marine resources in its adjacent continental shelf.

The concept of EEZ was initiated by Kenya in 1972 at the Geneva session of the UN Committee on Peaceful uses of Sea-bed and Ocean Floor Beyond the limits of National Jurisdiction. The EEZ finally found a place in the Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. Since then, it has become a generally accepted institution of the law of the sea. In Tunisia vs Libya, it was stated that the concept of EEZ can be regarded as a part of customary laws.

Economic importance of EEZ

The EEZs have also got economic importance as they do not only set the boundaries, but are also the source of livelihood for many countries because of their Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries, natural gas reserves, and tourism. Even the shipping of goods also takes place through these zones from many other countries. The scientific importance of EEZs includes the carrying out of scientific research on varied marine creatures, and the sampling of the seabeds for oil and natural gas purposes which can also be carried out therein. Every country has been given the right to safeguard their territorial waters, but if some countries wish to explore the resources, then they have to enter into a bilateral agreement with the respective neighboring country.

Economic importance of EEZ for india

The Indian peninsula juts 1,980 km into the Indian Ocean with 50% of the Indian Ocean basin lying within a 1500 km radius of India, a reality that has strategic implications. Between the Gulf of Aden and Malacca Strait, is seen as India’s sphere of influence. India is one of very few countries in the world to have developed the technology to extract Minerals from the deep sea bed. Under the law of the sea, by adding up the sea waterways comprising territorial zone of 20 km, contiguous zone 40 km, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 320 km, India has exclusive rights to explore mineral wealth in an area of 150,000 square km in the Indian Ocean.

India imports 70 % of its oil requirements, 4000 tankers come to Indian Ports annually and almost 95 % of Indian trade moves by sea. Any interference to our sea lanes, coastal offshore areas and ports, will have a crippling impact on the country’s economic Growth. Almost 3.5 million Indians work in Gulf countries and it is in India’s interest to ensure that the Environment in Gulf remains stable The IO is a critical waterway for global Trade and Commerce. This strategic expanse hosts heavy international maritime traffic that includes half of the world’s containerized cargo, one third of its bulk cargo and two third of its oil shipment. Its waters carry heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia, and contain an estimated 40% of the world’s offshore oil production. In addition to providing precious minerals and energy source, the ocean’s fish are of great importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export.

 

 


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Marine Resources and EEZ

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime zone that extends from the territorial sea to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Within the EEZ, a coastal state has sovereign rights over all Natural Resources, both living and non-living. The EEZ also includes the continental shelf, which extends to the outer edge of the continental margin or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, whichever is greater.

Marine Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity

Marine biodiversity is the variety of life in the ocean, including plants, animals, and Microorganisms. Marine biodiversity is important for a number of reasons, including:

Marine Ecosystems

Marine ecosystems are communities of organisms that live in the ocean. Marine ecosystems are diverse and complex, and they play an important role in the Earth’s ecosystem. Marine ecosystems provide food and other resources for humans, and they help to regulate the climate.

Marine Pollution

Marine pollution is the contamination of the ocean by harmful substances. Marine pollution can come from a variety of sources, including:

Marine pollution can have a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. It can kill marine animals, damage coral reefs, and disrupt the food chain.

Marine Resources Management

Marine resources management is the process of managing the use of marine resources in a sustainable way. Marine resources management includes a variety of activities, such as:

Marine Resources Management is important because it helps to ensure that marine resources are available for future generations.

Marine Science

Marine science is the study of the ocean and its inhabitants. Marine science is a multidisciplinary field that draws on a variety of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and engineering. Marine science is important because it helps us to understand the ocean and its role in the Earth’s ecosystem.

Ocean Governance

Ocean governance is the process of managing the use of the ocean in a sustainable way. Ocean governance includes a variety of activities, such as:

Ocean governance is important because it helps to ensure that the ocean is used in a way that benefits all of humanity.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is important because it helps to ensure that we live in a way that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that sets out the legal framework for the use of the ocean. UNCLOS was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994. UNCLOS is important because it helps to ensure that the ocean is used in a way that is peaceful and sustainable.

Here are some frequently asked questions about marine resources and EEZ, with short answers:

  1. What is a marine resource?
    A marine resource is any living or non-living thing that is found in the ocean. This includes fish, shellfish, oil, gas, and minerals.

  2. What is an EEZ?
    An EEZ is an Exclusive Economic Zone. It is a 200 nautical mile (370 km) zone that extends from a country’s coast. Within an EEZ, a country has the exclusive right to explore and exploit marine resources.

  3. What are the benefits of marine resources?
    Marine resources provide food, jobs, and economic opportunities. They also play an important role in the global climate system.

  4. What are the challenges of marine resources?
    Marine resources are threatened by overfishing, pollution, and Climate Change. Overfishing is the removal of fish from the ocean at a rate that is faster than they can reproduce. Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the ocean, such as oil, sewage, and chemicals. Climate change is causing the ocean to become warmer and more acidic, which is harming marine life.

  5. What can be done to protect marine resources?
    There are many things that can be done to protect marine resources. These include:

  6. Reducing overfishing by setting sustainable catch limits and enforcing these limits.

  7. Reducing pollution by reducing the amount of harmful substances that are released into the ocean.
  8. Addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  9. Creating marine Protected Areas where marine life can thrive.
  10. Educating people about the importance of marine resources and the challenges they face.

  11. What is the future of marine resources?
    The future of marine resources depends on the actions that we take today. If we do not take steps to protect them, they will continue to decline. However, if we take action to reduce overfishing, pollution, and climate change, we can ensure that marine resources are healthy and sustainable for future generations.

  1. Which of the following is not a marine resource?
    (A) Fish
    (B) Oil
    (C) Sand
    (D) Water

  2. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime zone that extends from the coast of a country up to 200 nautical miles. Which of the following is not a right that a country has in its EEZ?
    (A) The right to fish
    (B) The right to exploit oil and gas resources
    (C) The right to build artificial islands
    (D) The right to control navigation

  3. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that governs the use of the world’s oceans. Which of the following is not a principle of UNCLOS?
    (A) The freedom of the high seas
    (B) The sovereign rights of coastal states over their EEZs
    (C) The common heritage of mankind
    (D) The principle of non-discrimination

  4. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is an international court that settles disputes between countries over the interpretation and application of UNCLOS. Which of the following is not a case that has been decided by ITLOS?
    (A) The M/V Saiga case
    (B) The MOX Plant case
    (C) The Arctic Sunrise case
    (D) The South China Sea Arbitration

  5. The United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) is an international treaty that aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks. Which of the following is not a principle of UNFSA?
    (A) The precautionary approach
    (B) The maximum sustainable yield
    (C) The ecosystem approach
    (D) The principle of non-discrimination

  6. The Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) is a process under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to develop an international legally binding instrument under the CBD on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Which of the following is not a potential outcome of the BBNJ process?
    (A) A new international treaty
    (B) A set of guidelines
    (C) A set of principles
    (D) A set of recommendations

  7. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Which of the following SDGs is not directly related to the ocean?
    (A) Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
    (B) Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
    (C) Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
    (D) Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

  8. The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change that was adopted by the 196 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015. Which of the following is not a goal of the Paris Agreement?
    (A) To hold the increase in the global Average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels
    (B) To increase the ability of countries to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and to make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development
    (C) To strengthen the capacity of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change
    (D) To promote sustainable development and ensure that a balance is maintained between the mitigation of climate change and the needs of social and Economic Development

  9. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a multilateral fund established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support Climate Change Mitigation and adaptation projects in developing countries. Which of the following is not a source of funding for the GCF?
    (A) Contributions from developed countries
    (B) Contributions from developing countries
    (C) Contributions from the private sector
    (D) Contributions from international financial institutions

  10. The Blue economy is an emerging concept that advocates for the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and development. Which of the following is not a potential benefit of the Blue Economy?
    (A) Increased Food Security
    (B) Increased EMPLOYMENT opportunities
    (C) Increased tourism revenue
    (D) Increased greenhouse gas emissions

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