Small island nations keep their marine territories intact, as per the decision by the United Nations court.
In the face of rising sea levels due to climate change, Seychelles and several other island nations have rallied together to safeguard their territories and economic interests. This news article, credited to Shanna Hanbury, explores the efforts of Seychelles and its allies to protect their ocean spaces and the implications of these actions.
Seychelles, a small nation of approximately 100,000 people, has garnered attention for its significant ocean territory. Despite its compact landmass of 459 square kilometers, Seychelles boasts a vast ocean territory of 1.35 million km2, an area larger than Peru. This ocean territory is foundational to Seychelles' perspective, as emphasised by Angelique Pouponneau, an environmental lawyer from Seychelles and lead negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States.
Pouponneau views Seychelles as a responsible custodian of its ocean space. In a Sept. 9 podcast, she discussed the importance of marine conservation for the nation. Seychelles has been supported in its efforts by neighbouring countries such as Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, and the Maldives, who recognise the need for collective action to protect their shared ocean spaces.
Countries can claim control over ocean waters up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from their shores, an area known as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where they hold exclusive rights to fishing and natural resources. The concern among low-lying island nations, however, is that as their coastlines recede due to sea level rise, there would be a corresponding shrinkage in the outer limit of their EEZ.
In July, the United Nations International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that rising sea levels caused by climate change do not require countries to redraw their maritime borders. The court also noted that the disappearance of a country's landmass due to rising seas would not necessarily entail loss of statehood. This decision provides a measure of reassurance to island nations, but the fight for ocean conservation and the protection of their EEZs continues.
The banner image for this article is an island in Fiji, in the South Pacific. The podcast episode featuring Pouponneau's discussion on the issue can be found here. The nations most impacted by rising seas are in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean, as well as other island nations in Asia and Africa, such as Timor-Leste and Comoros. The Solomon Islands, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, has already lost five reef islands to sea level rise.
As the world grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, the efforts of Seychelles and its allies to protect their ocean territories serve as a powerful example of collective action and resilience in the face of adversity. By working together, these nations hope to preserve their marine resources and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Read also:
- Russia, according to Zelensky, lacks the prowess for launching another significant offensive.
- Russia's Latest Peace Proposals for Donbas: New Diplomatic Landscape Emerges amid Alaska Summit, Potentially Opening Ceasefire Opportunities
- Amidst India's escalating climate crisis, transgender individuals continue to persevere
- Contentious Discussion Surrounding the Movie Release of "Planet of the Humans"
