Population growth poses one of the greatest challenges
for human survival in the 21st
Century and, increasingly,
man is turning to the sea for food and energy. As the
ocean has no physical boundaries, it is inevitable that
some of these activities will affect the seashore and
jurisdictional waters of coastal States, negatively affecting
those nations’ territorial waters, with all the economic and
social ramifications that entails. Recent case studies point
to most threats to maritime jurisdictions coming from
undetected acts perpetrated beyond national jurisdiction,
on the high seas. Therefore, this article looks at potential
threats in this domain and measures to mitigate those
threats, in full compliance with the provisions of the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The occurrence area, and the limitations imposed by
international law, make it impossible for any one country
to address these issues alone. Increasingly States need the
support of international alliances and intergovernmental
forums such as the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the
South Atlantic (ZOPACAS). Leveraging those alliances
to reinforce maritime safety and achieve comprehensive
peace is the surest way to foster cooperation among
developing nations, including those with coasts along
the South Atlantic, and to prevent maritime threats from
undermining their future.
