diplomacy. Gunboat diplomacy initstraditional formhasfortunately become a raritybutthepolitical useofnavalforcescontinues tobecommon. The motivations maybeverydifferent andmayinclude co-operation. suchasprotocol visits, friendly visits andjointmanoeuvres; different formsofcoercion. suchas navalpresence inprotection ofnations orthreatened interests; oraffirmation of sovereignty overdisputed territory orevenintervention. Therearemanytypesof examples andthelargenumberofsuchoccurrences eachyearinvolVing navies demonstrates thatnaviescontinue tobeofgreatpolitical importance. By maintaining strongfleetsinvarious partsoftheworld,capable oftaking offensive orintervention action. thenavalforcesofcertain statesareableto playadeterrent roleinmanycircumstances, thereby bringing thethreatoruseof military forcetobearonthecourseofsituations farfromtheirownshores. Examples ofthisactivity maybeseencurrently intheMediterranean. theIndian Ocean.theChinaSea,theSouthAtlantic andinCentral American waters. G.Publicservice 156.Inaddition totheirwar-fighting andothermilitary duties, navalshipsoften perform otherveryvaluable tasks. Thedifferent aspects ofpublicserVice described inthissection arenotonlyamatterofnational policy; theyalso reflect thatStatesincreasingly striveforco-operation inthisfieldinorderto discharge themselves oftheresponsibilities allocated tothembyinternational agreements andtomeettheirlegitimate concern aboutactivities outside areas undertheirnational jurisdiction. Itshould beborneinmindthatmilitary assistance rendered inthepUblicservice ismostlycarried outunderthe responsibility oftheministries concerned, forinstance, theministry ofjustice inthecaseofcounter-terrorism. Theprerequisites forsuchactivities are formulated bycivilauthorities. Naviesare,inthiscontext. therefore instruments ofciVilian policy. I...A/40/535 Enqlish Paqe48 1.Lawenforcement acttons Protection ofeconomic resources (counter-smuqqlinq, fishery protection, counter-terrorism, counter-piracy) 157.Theprotection ofeconomic resources covers awideareaofresponsibilities, andeachcountry tendstoadoptdifferent andindividual approaches accordinq to circumstance. 158.Althouqh notprotection ofmarineresources, efforts tocounter smuqqlinq provide alonq-standinq demonstration ofnavalactivities desiqned toprotect a nation's economic trade. Smuggling, whichtakesplaceoffmanycoasts, canin certain commodities havemajorharmful effects onnational economic andother interests. 159.Navalinvolvement infishery protection ismorethansimpleprotection. Itis enforcement oftherulesonsizeandtypeoffishcauqht andminimum netmeshused; quardinq aqainst unlawful fishinq inprohibited areasorbythosenotpermitted to fishinprotected areas; andapolicefunction concerned withavoidinq thecatchinq offishthataretemporarily orpermanently protected. Theseprotection duties and policefunctions aresupported bymanynational andinternational treaties and agreements. 160.Another essential anddifficult areaofprotection ofresources isdefence aqainst possible terrorist attacks onoffshore installations. Nations with offshore assetsnormally haveplanstocounter thistypeofthreat. Navalpresence isconsidered tobeofgreatvalueindeterrinq potential attacks ofthisnature. Planning between government, navalforces andindustry, fromtimetotimesupported byanexercise, isnowregularly carried outbyanumberofcountries. 161.InSOmepartsoftheworldpiracycontinues tobeasiqnificant problem; it basbeenreported tobeontbeincrease incertain areas. 241Ingeneral, merchant shipping companies andseamen's unions haveresisted suggestions thatmerchant shipsshould bearmed. Thetaskofcontrolling anderadicatinq piracytherefore fallsonnavalforces, andinmostcasesonthosethathavecomparatively little capacity tomaintain thecontinuous patrols andavailability ofhiqh-speed reaction thatsuccess incounter-piracy operations demands. 2.Miscellaneous activities (hydrography andoceanography, pollution control, disaster relief, search andrescue) 162.Manynaviesintheworldaddtothesafetyofinternational shippinq bymakinq
**Analysis**
The text discusses the role of naval forces in various activities, including protection of economic resources, law enforcement, and humanitarian aid. It highlights the importance of naval presence in maintaining national and international security, as well as the need for cooperation between governments and industries. The text also touches on the issue of piracy and the importance of naval forces in combating it.

**Category**
Transport and communication, Humanitarian aid and relief