One of the main missions of the Secretariat of Malvinas, Antarctica and the South Atlantic is to raise awareness about the bicontinental and oceanic nature of our national territory. Throughout July we have carried out this task with special effort given the commemoration of the month of Argentine Interests in the Sea, a special occasion in which we have addressed the maritime issue with a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach, considering that our sea occupies an enormous area in the South Atlantic, both in the American and in the Antarctic continent, which includes not only the water column, but also the vast Argentine continental shelf.
On July 16, by law 25,860, the Day of Argentine Interests in the Sea was established, in fair tribute to Admiral Segundo Storni, pioneer of Argentine maritime development. Paying attention to and becoming aware of the richness of our seas and the extensive continental shelf, and the importance that these spaces have for national development, requires us to build State policies, as a way of exercising our sovereign rights over what represents a fundamental part of the national territory. Protecting our maritime interests means especially monitoring and controlling ourwaters to eliminate illegal fishing and unauthorized hydrocarbon activities, continue to strengthen marine scientific research, promote productive industries linked to the sector, expand and renew the national fishing fleet, deepen conservation and the sustainable management of existing resources, expand the National System of Marine Protected Areas and meet the goals of the Pampa Azul initiative, among other tasks that we must sustain over time with a long-term vision.
The Malvinas Question, a transversal axis of our foreign policy, also poses diplomatic and legal challenges of particular complexity. The unilateral actions of the United Kingdom, which illegally occupies a large and rich part of our territory, is a threat to the conservation and sustainable use of our marine resources, especially fisheries, as a consequence of the presence of fishing fleet with illegal licenses, an illicit activity that is being addressed with strategic, coordinated and comprehensive policies by the Argentine government.
During the month of Argentine Interests in the Sea, the words of Vice Admiral Segundo Storni remain valid: “The sea will be for the Nation, the vehicle and support of its fortune and its glory”. In the actions we carry out, we feel committed to honoring his legacy.
Guillermo Carmona
Secretary of Malvinas, Antarctica and the South Atlantic
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