CHAPTER 7
Managing Marine Resources: The Role of GIS in EEZ Management
S. Fletcher
ABSTRACT: Following the agreement of UNCLOS III, coastal states have new powers
and responsibilities relating to the use and management of their Exclusive Economic
Zones (EEZs). The exploitation of these zones is diverse and of increasing economic
importance, particularly to developing countries. In order to encourage long term
economic development, integrated management policies to ensure the sustainable use
of EEZ resources are required. With reference to selected EEZs, this chapter examines
the actual and potential resource conflicts, and proposes Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) as a key tool for the integrated and sustainable management of these
zones.
Introduction
The oceans and coastal zones surrounding coastal states contain a range of living an
non-living resources which are increasingly exploited for economic gain. This is
particularly the case for developing countries and small island states that may be
reliant upon marine resources due to a poor terrestrial resource base. Ocean uses
typically include the exploitation of fishery, recreational, biotechnological and
industrial resources, renewable energy production, hydrocarbon exploration and waste
disposal (Champ and Ostenso, 1985).
Many of the uses made of marine resources are prone to conflict as increasing
pressure is exerted on a limited resource base. Such conflicts result in the misuse and
over exploitation of resources which undermines the sustainability of the resource base
itself. The ocean area available for exploitation reflects the maritime boundaries of
coastal states, derived from international agreements and conventions. The vast
majority of the oceans are traditionally 'high seas' under control of no individual state,
97
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 97–104.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.
Managing Marine Resources: The Role of GIS in EEZ Management
S. Fletcher
ABSTRACT: Following the agreement of UNCLOS III, coastal states have new powers
and responsibilities relating to the use and management of their Exclusive Economic
Zones (EEZs). The exploitation of these zones is diverse and of increasing economic
importance, particularly to developing countries. In order to encourage long term
economic development, integrated management policies to ensure the sustainable use
of EEZ resources are required. With reference to selected EEZs, this chapter examines
the actual and potential resource conflicts, and proposes Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) as a key tool for the integrated and sustainable management of these
zones.
Introduction
The oceans and coastal zones surrounding coastal states contain a range of living an
non-living resources which are increasingly exploited for economic gain. This is
particularly the case for developing countries and small island states that may be
reliant upon marine resources due to a poor terrestrial resource base. Ocean uses
typically include the exploitation of fishery, recreational, biotechnological and
industrial resources, renewable energy production, hydrocarbon exploration and waste
disposal (Champ and Ostenso, 1985).
Many of the uses made of marine resources are prone to conflict as increasing
pressure is exerted on a limited resource base. Such conflicts result in the misuse and
over exploitation of resources which undermines the sustainability of the resource base
itself. The ocean area available for exploitation reflects the maritime boundaries of
coastal states, derived from international agreements and conventions. The vast
majority of the oceans are traditionally 'high seas' under control of no individual state,
97
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 97–104.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.