COHORT: a new concept for EEZ management

摘要

Since 1982, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has given nation states jurisdiction over an Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) extending up to 200nm from the coastline. In fact, some 35 per cent of the world's oceans fall within an EEZ and, as about 97 per cent of world trade is seaborne, this must by necessity transit through an EEZ. This offers nations the opportunity to maximise revenues from resource exploitation within the EEZ, but also places new responsibilities on navies, coast guards and other maritime security agencies, to monitor and interdict illegal activities in the EEZ. These may, among others, include: 1.illegal fishing of territorial waters. 2.incursion of mineral exploitation across legal boundaries. 3.maritime terrorism. 4.narcotics smuggling. 5.pollution as a result of shipping accidents or malpractice. 6.trafficking of illegal immigrants avoidance of tax duties through smuggling.