During the 1974 UN Law of the Sea conference, New Zealand and Pacific Island countries pressed for control of their fisheries resources out to 200 nautical miles from all islands that were part of their territories. They argued that, unlike states who fished in distant waters, they had an interest in managing these resources in a sustainable manner. After a long battle, the right to a 200-mile zone for all islands was guaranteed under UNCLOS 1982. This map shows the extensive economic zones acquired by Pacific countries as a result.
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Base map courtesy of NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
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