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When asking the question “what is the value of those islands/rocks-in-the-sea?” the answer is always 'EEZ boundaries'. I.e., having extra bits of land in the mi
by Freak_NL 5y ago
When asking the question “what is the value of those islands/rocks-in-the-sea?” the answer is always 'EEZ boundaries'. I.e., having extra bits of land in the middle of the sea enlarges your exclusive economic zone where you can exploit resources in the ocean and below the ocean bed (oil) significantly. Which is why so many disputes exist over really boring bits of rock jutting out of the water.
- SideburnsOfDoom 5y agoSee also: Rockall, a rock in the North Atlantic which is "25 metres (80 ft) wide and 31 m (102 ft) long" all of which gets wet in a storm. The UK claims it as territory. 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockall
- Armisael16 5y agoThe UK has also explicitly disavowed an EEZ extension based on Rockall (UNCLOS doesn’t allow it). (They do claim territorial seas around it, but that’s 12nmi instead of 200nmi.)
- JoachimS 5y agoAnother good example is Hans island. Though the two parties are arguing in a quite civilized manner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Island https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Island "In 1984, the Danish Minister for Greenland planted the Danish flag on the island and left a little message saying "Velkommen til den danske ø" (English: Welcome to the Danish Island).[12] It is also said he left a bottle of brandy;[12] however, this seems to have been Schnapps,[13] which, unlike brandy, is a traditional Danish spirit. It is commonly told, internally in the Danish Navy, that it was specifically a bottle of Gammel Dansk, which translates literally to 'Old Danish'. The Canadians have reciprocated with their own sign, the flag of Canada and a bottle of Canadian Club.[14]"
- fomine3 5y agoJapan's case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinotorishima https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinotorishima
- belter 5y agoEEZ boundaries are huge. Up to 200 miles from your coast.
- s1artibartfast 5y agoYeah. A 1 square meter rock can grant 125,000 km2 of EEZ. Hence island disputes.