Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has developed the Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas.
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
- It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- It was established in 1999.
- It functions as a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO).
- It aims to provide ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government, and the scientific community.
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About Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas.
- Launched by: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
- This is the world’s first atlas that provides both a combined and individual assessment of blue energy resources across India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- It identifies daily, monthly, and annual energy potential from tidal waves, currents, and other blue renewable sources.
- It factors in fishing zones, shipping lines, cyclone-prone zones, eco-sensitive zones, ports, and harbours.
- The atlas will help industries, policymakers, and researchers in planning and decision-making.
- It will also help in understanding the available energy potential sites
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About Blue Renewable Sources
- Blue renewable sources refer to energy derived from natural marine sources, including:
Ocean waves- Tides
- Currents
- Osmotic power (from differences in salt concentration between freshwater and seawater)
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Potential of Blue Renewable Sources
- Energy Potential: Oceans and seas have a lot of energy which makes them a promising source of renewable energy.
- India’s Potential: Research indicates that India could generate up to 9.2 lakh TWh of energy from its coastline and island areas.
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UNCLOS
- UNCLOS provides the legal framework for governance of the world’s oceans.
- It Was adopted in 1982.
- Relevance to the Blue Economy
- Sustainable use of ocean resources: UNCLOS promotes sustainable use of marine resources.
- It ensures balance between environmental protection and economic growth.
- Dispute resolution: This body provides a mechanism for resolving maritime disputes.
- It smooths international trade.
- Global cooperation: It supports international cooperation in ocean research and sustainable development, which benefits the global blue economy.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- The EEZ, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from a country’s coastline.
- It gives a country special rights to explore and use marine resources.
- Uses: Includes generating energy from wind and water, and extracting oil and natural gas.
- Exclusions: Does not cover the territorial sea or the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, but does include the contiguous zone.
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Rights of the Coastal State
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- Resource Management: The country can explore, use, and manage both living and non-living resources.
- Energy Generation: It can produce energy from wind, water, and ocean currents.
- Structures: Allowed to build and use artificial islands and other structures.
- Research: Can conduct scientific research in the area.
- Environmental Protection: Responsible for protecting and preserving the marine environment.
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Key Differences
- Territorial Sea vs. EEZ
- Territorial Sea: Gives a country full control over the waters and the sea bed.
- EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone): Grants special rights only for using resources below the sea surface.
- The surface waters in EEZ are still considered international waters.
- Freedom of Navigation
- EEZ Rules: While a country has special rights in its EEZ, it must allow other countries to navigate freely through these waters.
India’s EEZ
- 18th Largest EEZ: India’s EEZ covers 2,305,143 km² (890,021 sq mi).
- Includes: Lakshadweep islands in the Laccadive Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
- Borders: To the west with Pakistan, south with the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and east with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
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Importance of EEZ
- Resource Access: Provides control over oil, gas, minerals, and commercial fishing resources.
- Strategic Benefits: Enhances freedom of navigation, international trade, and national security.
- Current Exploitation: India uses 3.2 million tonnes per year of marine fishery resources out of a potential 3.92 million tonnes.
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Legal Framework
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- 1976 Act: India defined EEZ in the “Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976”.
- UNCLOS Ratification: India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in June 1997.
- Fishing Regulations: “Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of fishing by foreign vessels) Act, 1981″ prohibits foreign fishing without a license and regulates Indian fishing activities.
Protection and Management
- Indian Coast Guard: Plays a crucial role in safeguarding the shore.
- Andaman and Nicobar Command: The Indian Military’s offshore command is responsible for protecting the EEZ.
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September 19, 2024
