Burgo-Tierradoran EEZ Exploitation Settlement (2003)

From the mid-90s until 2003, the Exclusive Economic Zone of Tierrador on the Orixtal Sea was the setting of exploitation by distant-water fleets of Burgiognesc fishermen and the subsequent defense of said fisherman by the government of Burgundie. The exploitation and conflicts that resulted after were colloquially known as the Salmon Wars, due to the fishermen being heavily focused on Tierradorian salmon, though other marine life, such as octopi (octopodes), cod, shark, and groupers were targeted as well.

Background

Burgundie, a prominent maritime nation with a vast distant-water fishing fleet, had a long history of engaging in commercial fishing ventures worldwide. Tierrador, on the other hand, possessed rich fishing grounds within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and while fishing was vital source of revenue and employment for local communities, it was not developed on an industrial scale.

The Salmon Wars was a series of disputes and confrontations that occurred between the distant-water fleet of the Merchant Marine of Burgundie and the nascent fishing fleet of Tierrador from 1996 to 2003. The conflict arose due to the exploitative fishing practices employed by Burgundie's distant-water fleet within Tierrador's economic exclusion zone, leading to significant tensions and economic losses for Tierrador's local fishermen.

In 1996, Burgundie's distant-water fleet began exploiting the fishing resources off the coast of Tierrador, venturing into Tierrador's EEZ in pursuit of abundant fish stocks. The fleet employed large-scale fishing techniques such as bottom trawling and purse seining, which had detrimental effects on the marine ecosystem and severely depleted local fish populations. By 1999 the unrestricted activities of Burgundie's distant-water fleet caused great concern among Tierrador's fishing communities, whose livelihoods depended on the sustainable management of their fishing resources. The local fishermen experienced a decline in catch sizes and struggled to compete with the well-equipped and efficient vessels of the Merchant Marine of Burgundie. The Tierradoran Maritime Defense Authority had a hard time catching these fishing ships as they were equipped with over the horizon radars to avoid being found. In 2000, the Tierradorian Navy was dispatched to assist the MDA in catching these vessels.

Tierrador repeatedly protested against Burgundie's fishing practices and the encroachment of their fishing fleet into their territorial waters, but had no hard evidence that it was occurring beyond their fishermen's accounts and very grainy pictures which were not definitive. Diplomatic negotiations and discussions were initiated to find a resolution, but the efforts were largely unsuccessful, leading to a gradual escalation of tensions between the two nations.

Ironic technological innovations

In the late 90s Burgundie released the Automatic identification system (AIS) as a way to improve maritime safety and track ships. In early 2001, Tierrador adopted AIS and the MDA along with the Environmental Regulation Authority (ERA) began using it to document the incursions of Burgundie's distant-water fleet. They presented these to the Burgoignesc embassy in Taisgol but the practices continued. After a year of collecting evidence the Tierradoran delegation to the LoN took evidence to the General Assembly. The General Assembly remained divided on the issue so the Tierradoran delegation took the matter to the International Justice Court which declined to review the case siting the nascent nature of AIS technology.

Escalation

As Tierrador's requests for a halt to the fishing activities went unanswered, the conflict took on a more confrontational tone. In 2002 several MDA vessels, using AIS, were dispatched to deter Burgundie's fishing fleet. The initial interactions were fairly harmless with the Tierradorian navy/coast guard escorting the Burgoignesc ships to the edge of the Tierradorian EEZ and barring them from returning. A few months of this did not deter the Burgoignesc fleets who started turning off their AIS transponders, so the Tierradorian Navy steps in and starts arresting Burgoignesc fishermen and bringing back the boats to be impounded. The Burgoignesc fishing companies paid to release the boats and the sailors are let off with a hefty fine. Still the incursions persist so the Tierradorian navy arrests the sailors and don't release them and starts blowing up the distant-water fishing ships in early 2003.

The settlement

The League of Nations finally agrees to a resolution to condemn Burgundie and force it to join an arbitration with Tierrador. After 4 months of negotiation the Burgo-Tierradoran EEZ Exploitation Settlement is reached. Burgundie agrees never to return to the Tierradoran EEZ and to pay $200million to a financial assistance fund that supports Tierradoran small local fisherman during seasons where they don't catch enough fish to make ends meet as a result of Burgundie's overfishing.

Aftermath

Burgo-Tierradoran EEZ Exploitation Settlement had far-reaching consequences for both nations. Tierrador's fishing industry faced significant challenges in recovering from the depletion of fish stocks and the disruption caused by Burgundie's activities. Efforts were subsequently made to implement stricter fishing regulations and enhance surveillance and enforcement within Tierrador's waters. For Burgundie, the conflict highlighted the need for responsible fishing practices and sustainable resource management. The incident served as a catalyst for reforming the nation's fishing policies, leading to increased scrutiny of the distant-water fleet's activities and a shift towards more sustainable fishing methods (e.g. Sudmoll's law banning "wild" marine capture and the creation of the Joint Office of Evangeline Economic Development and Food Security on Iles Evangeline).

The Salmon Wars and the resulting Burgo-Tierradoran EEZ Exploitation Settlement stands as a significant case study highlighting the importance of maritime cooperation, responsible fishing practices, and the protection of coastal states' economic interests. The resolution of the conflict and the subsequent compensation served as a precedent for addressing similar disputes in the international arena. The legacy of the conflict also underscored the need for effective management and regulation of fishing activities within EEZs to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources. The incident contributed to ongoing discussions and efforts aimed at strengthening international frameworks and cooperation in managing and conserving global fisheries.