Oceans

• ·      15.5 million barrels of oil a day through the straight of Hormuz, 13.6 through straight of Malacca and 2 million through the Suez.
• ·      English Channel the busiest part of ocean in the world for shipping (600 ships a day).
• ·      20% of the world's oil is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz (Gulf of Oman)
• ·      Piracy peaked in 2010 at 688 incidents globally and is now at 115 in 2022 but have risen in Asia.
• ·      54% of Somalia’s population are unemployed
• ·      The Geneva convention on the high seas refers and defines Piracy.
• ·      1994 UNCLOS (united nations convention on the law of the sea) bound 154 nations to govern all aspects of ocean space, rule piracy as a crime, provide legal foundation to combat piracy.
• ·      2008 US led resolution: authorised states with navies to take military action against pirates with the agreement of the Somali government. 
• ·      UK EEZ the 5th largest in the world.
• ·      more than 11 billion tons of manufactured goods, commodities and food gets carried around the world by large ships. A year.
• ·      99% of international data is transmitted by cables.

  ·      350 cables spanning 550,000 miles

  ·      All laid by private companies

  ·      25 years life expectancy
• 20% of all oil is transported through the strait of Hormuz.

  the narrowest point is 12 miles
• Iran have threatened multiple times to block the strait of Hormuz in response to tensions with the USA it is therefore patrolled by many of the worlds Navies including NATO and gulf countries
• the strait of Malacca is the fastest route into Asia from Indian Ocean, Africa and Europe and is critical for energy supplies.
• the strait of Malacca has been disrupted through Piracy which has been mitigated through:

  • cooperation from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore to organise joint sea and air patrols.
  • USA, India and Japan have provided training and equipment while sharing intelligence.
  • individual companies have stepped up security: higher speeds, lookouts, barbed wire, water cannons and armed guards.
• Somalia in 2011 was in turmoil. Mass migration out of 10,000 each week, famine and drought, civil war, corruption and weak government.

  Known as a “failed state” by the UN.
• Piracy in Somalia became common due to the lack of other monetary incentives. Extremists such as Al-Qaeda help to fund and train militias capturing large cargo ships. They are often funded through the black market and corrupt international aid.
• Pirates in Somalia would use small fast boats deployed from “mother ships” to extend their reach. They would imprison the crew and gain ransom payments. 

  Led to an economic impacts as shipping moved and companies faced increased costs to protect their ships.
• Response to Somalian Piracy:NATO Operation Ocean Shield to escort and protect ships close to the horn of Africa.

  Ships took measures such as barbed wire, water cannons and armed guards + maintaining high speeds and manuvers to avoid pirates.
• Djibouti code of conduct, signed by 17 countries within the Indian ocean.

  ·     Information sharing 

  ·     Training, assistance

  ·     Legal cooperation (harmonisation of national laws and creating areas to incarcerate)

  ·     Join patrols and operations by the military.

  ·     Defining piracy in line with the UNCLOS
• Suez Canal 

  Key global shipping route, cutting travel times between Asia and Europe.

  10% of global trade passes through the chokepoint.

  Major source of revenue for Egypt as it puts tolls on ships passing through.
• Suez Canal

  2021 blockage and its global implications on trade and cost of living.

  Point of great global geopolitical power. Egypt power over world trade.

  Allows rapid deployment of forces from Europe to Asia and the middle east.
• The protection of the Great Barrier Reef

   

  UNESCO world heritage site

  (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

  Encourages the creation of management plans and reporting systems of their site.

  Provides emergency assistance for sites in immediate danger.

  Allocates funds for their protection.

  Promotes and advocates for the survival of sites in the media.
• Great barrier reef marine park authority. Zoning plans, permits and compliance with rules to protect biodiversity.
• Australian government: 2050 long term sustainability plan. Focuses on improving water quality and biodiversity. (minimising runoff of sediments, pesticides and improving the treatment of waste water facilities).

  Also conducted assessments to identify key habitats at risk and then restoring them through coral transplantation and breeding programs.

  Through legislation they also created a legal framework for protecting the reef.
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  Media attention:

  Numerous documentaries including blue planet and the BBC.

   

  Universities

  Research conservation methods and lobby the government.