Why in news
India's tuna fish exports grew by 31.83% in 2023-24.
The government is exploring Exclusive Economic Zone around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a major hub for tuna fishing and exports.
A recent meeting in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands aimed to attract investors to boost tuna fishing and processing.
What is Exclusive Economic Zone
The concept of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was adopted through the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
EEZ, as defined under UNCLOS, is an area of the ocean extending up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) immediately offshore from a country’s land coast
In EEZ country retains exclusive rights to the exploration and exploitation of natural resources.
Under international law, within its defined EEZ, a coastal nation has:
Sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing the natural resources of the seabed, subsoil, and waters above it.
Jurisdiction as provided for in international law with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment.
Other rights and duties provided for under international law.
Other States have the right for their ships and aircraft to traverse the EEZ and its airspace and to lay cable and pipelines.
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