Marine resources encompass the diverse wealth found in the oceans and seas, including:
- Living Resources:
- Fishery Resources: A major source of food for humans, including finfish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
- Marine Mammals: Whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals.
- Marine Plants: Seaweed, kelp, and other marine plants, some with potential for food, medicine, and biofuels.
- Non-Living Resources:
- Mineral Resources: Oil and natural gas deposits beneath the seabed, as well as minerals like manganese nodules.
- Energy Resources: Tidal and wave energy, offshore wind power, and ocean thermal energy conversion.
- Sand and Gravel: Used in construction and other industries.
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)
- Definition: An area of the sea extending 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from a country’s coastline.
- Rights: Within their EEZ, coastal states have:
- Sovereign rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources, including living and non-living resources.
- Jurisdiction over artificial islands, structures, and installations.
- **Rights regarding other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as energy production from water, currents, and wind.
Significance of EEZs
- Economic Benefits: EEZs provide coastal states with exclusive rights to valuable resources, potentially boosting their economies.
- Food Security: EEZs support fisheries, providing a crucial source of food for many coastal populations.
- Energy Security: EEZs can contribute to energy security by enabling the development of offshore energy sources.
- Environmental Protection: EEZs give coastal states primary responsibility for managing and protecting marine resources within their boundaries.
Challenges and Issues
- Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices can deplete fish stocks and harm marine ecosystems.
- Pollution: Marine pollution from land-based sources and maritime activities can degrade marine habitats.
- Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise pose significant threats to marine ecosystems and resources.
- Maritime Disputes: Overlapping claims and conflicting interests over EEZs can lead to international disputes.
Sustainable Management
Sustainable management of marine resources within EEZs is crucial for ensuring their long-term availability and ecological integrity. This requires:
- Scientifically-based fisheries management: Implementing quotas, fishing gear restrictions, and marine protected areas.
- Combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
- Addressing marine pollution and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
- Promoting international cooperation and resolving maritime disputes peacefully.
By effectively managing their EEZs, coastal states can harness the benefits of marine resources while ensuring their sustainable use for future generations.