Burgo-Tierradoran EEZ Exploitation Settlement (2003): Difference between revisions

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 {{wpl|bottom trawling}} and {{Wpl|Seine_fishing#Purse_seine|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 Tierradorian [[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.

In the late 90s [[Burgundie]] released the {{wpl|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_identification_system|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.

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 [[Tierrador]]ian navy/coast guard escorting the [[Burgundie|Burgoignesc]] ships to the edge of the [[Tierrador]]ian 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]].