"Thehighseasshall bereserved forpeaceful purposes." Theprovisions ofarticles 87and88applyalsototheexclusive economic zone. 277.Inthelightofsuchprovisions intheConvention ontheLawoftheSeato promote freedom ofnavigation andprotection ofinternational shipping routes, the harmful impactofnavalactivities thatcurtail thefreeandopenuseofsealanes cannot beover-emphasized. Inthiscontext, theapplicability ofthe1907Hague Conventions intimeofwarshould benoted. Although thefollowing activities may sometimes bejustified onthegrounds thattheysafeguard theshipsofStatesnot involved indisputes, suchactivities asmining, covert suhmarine operations in coastal waters, blOCkades, theimposition ofrestrictions ontheuseofcertain areasofthehighseas,theestablishment ofmaritime exclusion zonesasaresult ofconflict andsimilar practices mayconstitute interference withthepeaceful usesofthesea.Thenatureofsuchinterference mayinclude interruption of hazardtocommercial shipping, activities directed against aState's coastal I...I...A/40/535 English Page76 security Ordenial ofaccess totraditional fishing grounds. Thepartthatnaval forcemayplayintheexercise oftheinherent righttoindividual orcollective self-defence orinactions against terrorism, piracy orsmuggling isrecognized, butStatescannotexpecttoenjoythefreedom ofthehighseasandtheuncritical support oftheinternational community ifattimestheydenythosefreedoms to otherStatesusingtheseasforpeaceful purposes. ForStatesnotparticipating in anongoing conflict, securing therighttousetheseasintimesofcrisisisan important objective. c.Implications fortheexploitation ofmarine resources 278.Withgreater interest intheexploitation ofmarineresources andthe introduction oftheexclusive economic zone,thenumberofoffshore andother commercial activities willcontinue toincrease. Although ordinary commercial accidents suchastankercollisions canhavemajorpollution effects, accidents at seainvolving anuclear-armed ornuclear-powered vesselcouldhaveverymajor harmful effects onmarine resources, particularly ifresulting radiation ledto extensive contamination oftheseaareaconcerned Itheriskofthispossibility is ofmajorimportance giventhesignificance oftheseaasoneoftheprincipal sources oflifeontheplanet. Separately, grave damage totheliving resources of theseacouldbecaused bynavalconfrontation orattacks onoffshore oilrigs. Instances ofextensive pollution anddamage tomarine resources, orinterruption of suchactiVities asfishing, havealready resulted inrecent years fromnaval activities ofawarlike nature. 279.Ontheotherhand,thegrowing complexity ofoffshore activities willcallfor much-improved national andinternational management arrangements ifmarine resources aretobeexploited inarational andorderly manner tothebenefit of mankind. Ithasbeennotedthatsomemaritime States havefoundtheirexisting bureaucracies uneaual tothetask:theUnitedStates hassome40overlapping agencies concerned withtheoffshore estate, theUnited Kingdom over20.11/New resources, newdevelopments, newactivities, newresponsibilities -allwilldemand moreco-ordinated maritime policies, administrative machinery andpolicing capabilities. Therearelikely tobemore,notfewer, disputes overfishing rights andlawsandtheactivities oftrawlers. Therewillprobably beincreased competition between various parties endeavouring toexploit thesameareafor different resources. Moreseatraffic andgreater industrialization willcreate a greater needformOreeffective pollution controls andimproved protection ofthe marine environment. Othereffects ofgreater seatraffic mayinclude anincreased incidence ofcollisions atsea,moresalvage andwreckclearance, anextended need fortraffic separation systems andagreater needforsearch andrescue services in theprotection ofhumanlife.Inmanyoftheseaspects muchhasalready been achieved inrecentyearsthrough thevaluable workofIMO. 280.Withinthisgrowing rangeofactivities, thereismuchthatappropriately equipped navalvessels coulddo.Therearealsomanywaysinwhichthegreater
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of the high seas for peaceful purposes, the impact of naval activities on marine resources and the environment, and the need for improved management and cooperation to ensure the rational and orderly exploitation of marine resources. It also touches on the implications of increased sea traffic and industrialization on pollution control and human life. Given the focus on the high seas, marine resources, and the need for international cooperation, it is likely that the text falls under the categories related to natural resources and environment.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Transport and communication