Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level : About the Exercise
Mains level : UNCLOS
- 28th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is being conducted from 05 – 15 September 2019.
About the exercise
- Indian Navy has been participating in the biannual Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) since 2003.
- The Objectives of the Indo-Thai CORPAT are to ensure effective implementation of United Nations Conventions on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- UNCLOS specify regulations regarding protection and conservation of natural resources, conservation of marine environment, prevention and suppression of illegal, unregulated fishing activity/ drug trafficking/ piracy, exchange of information in prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and conduct of Search and Rescue operations at sea.
Back2Basics
UNCLOS
- The convention is also sometimes referred to as the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty.
- It defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world’s oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.
- It came into operation and became effective from 16th November 1982.
- Before the nautical law of UNCLOS came into force, there existed a school of thought known as freedom-of-the-seas.
- This doctrine had first come into operation during the 17th As per this law, there were no limits or boundaries set to the aspect of marine business and commercial activities.
- Over-exploitation of the sea’s resources was immensely felt towards the middle of the 20th century and many nations started feeling the need to ensure protection of their marine resources.
- Features defined by the UNCLOS are as follows: