ABSTRACT
The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC)1 created a new framework for the conduct of maritime affairs. The influence of the LOSC extends from the recognition of a variety of maritime zones, and the rights and duties of states therein, to the conservation and management of living and non-living resources, and the protection and preservation of the marine environment. As coastal states with significant maritime domains in the Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans, Australia and New Zealand rely upon the framework created by the LOSC for maritime security. Indeed, it could be argued that both countries have been significant beneficiaries of the modern law of the sea, not only in terms of their capacity to project extended maritime claims, but also because of the improvements the LOSC has afforded for the enhancement of maritime security for both countries. The freedom and security of the seas are of vital importance to Australia and New Zealand in a number of ways. One example of this is that the two countries have so significantly relied upon exports of natural resources and agricultural products into distant markets in Europe, the Americas and increasingly Asia. The LOSC continues to play an important contemporary role in ensuring maritime security.
