Ocean resources Flashcards
what is UNCLOS
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
what is an eez
An eez is where a country has exclusive rights to the resources in that area
what is the territorial waters
Territorial sea: this extends to 12 nautical miles from the baseline. This area is under the jurisdiction of the state, but foreign vessels have the right to navigate through it
what is a contiguos zone
zone that extends up to 24 nm away from the shore where a government have limited enforcement
high seas
anybody can do what they want but have to subject to international law
when was UNCLOS created
1994
what did UNCLOS replace
geneva conventions
why is UNCLOS important
standardises claims to maritime zones
what is one way in which UNCLOS fails
you can opt out of UNCLOS laws
what governmental body controls sea floor meaning
ISA
How is one renewable biological resource use and managed?
The international whaling comission created in 1946 by the Un 88 member states currently. In 1986 all commercial whaling was banned but substinence rues allowed indigenous people to hunt whales as long as they stick to catch limits set every 6 years (20 whales between 2019-2025) and scientific research iArticle 8 used as loophole for Japan
Explain how the different stakeholders influence the use and management of the resource
Iceland ceased commercial whaling in 2021 due to whale watching and pandemic restrictions. Japan joined IWC in 1951 and then left in 2019 to continue commercial whaling . Conservation groups such as green peace pressure the countries that whale to stop to preserve species numbers.
What are key thresholds to initiate management?
The population level at which it becomes necessary to put in place some kind of strategy to ensure a sustainable population exists.
Describe why use and management of offshore oil and gas is a contested issue
oil- reliable efficient and huge economic boost but is non-renewable contribute to more carbon in the atmosphere also ocean acidification there are oil spills as well
Describe why the use and management of wave and tidal energy is a contested issue
Newer technology is more expensive and hasnt been market tested Only rich countries can afford it. Pollution building up on barrages as well as it is an eye sore wave power device example = Islay Limpet opened in 2000 but closed in 2012 Rance Tidal power station built in 1966
Describe why the use of sea-bed minerals is a contested issue
Tailings from mineral extraction can smother benthic species. The sea bed is largely unexplored could be undiscovered species whose habitats could be destroyed. But potentially lots of eeconomic benefits Cobalt consumption = 135,200 metric tons per year. One example is the Clarion–Clipperton zone - 1 million km^2
What is the global commons?
The high seas are global commons as no one has specific jurisdiction and control although they are administered by the UNCLOS and associated organisations.
