Notes_2A_Cod_Wars 英语.docxVIP

HWA CHONG INSTITUTIONYear 4 IHC NOTES 2 – Conflict over Natural Resources[The Cod War]The three Icelandic Cod Wars that took place in 1958, 1973 and 1975 were precipitated by concerns on the part of Iceland that the stocks of Cod fish were being seriously depleted by over fishing.With few natural Icelandic resources such as timber, agriculture, fuel or mineral deposits, Iceland relies heavily upon its stocks of Cod fish and the Cod Wars have been a vital element in protecting this industry.In 1958 the first Icelandic Cod War took place after they extended their fishing limits from 4 miles to 12 miles off Iceland’s coast. In September of 1958, Iceland sought to extend its territorial waters from four miles to 12 miles off shore. An unarmed Icelandic patrol took over a British trawler fishing within the 12-mile limit, but a nearby naval frigate peacefully repossessed it.http://fasc-0621-iceland-cod-wars.htmlhttp://fasc-0621-iceland-cod-wars.htmlGreat Britain protested to Iceland that the new 12-mile rule infringed the freedom of the seas and international law. International law has generally held that the territorial waters of a country extend only three miles from the coast, although it has occasionally been extended for special purposes.The conflict was resolved in 1961 when Great Britain accepted the new limits. However, the dispute with Great Britain (known as the cod wars) was renewed in 1972, when Iceland further extended their limits to a 50 mile radius which prompted a hostile response from other nations, not least Britain, and the second Icelandic Cod War took place. An agreement was reached in 1973, resolving the second Icelandic Cod War when Britain agreed to limit fishing for Cod to designated areas within the 50 mile radius. What further instigated the third Icelandic Cod War, apart from the expiration of the agreement made at the end of the second Cod War, was Iceland’s move to extend the 50 mile radius to 200 miles. Iceland argued that the United Natio