Quelques réflexions sur le « fait maritime calédonien », les atouts et les enjeux du pays en introduction et en présentation du dossier : La Nouvelle-Calédonie et « l’Or Bleu »

The file on New Caledonia and « Blue Gold » presents a set of issues deemed relevant to the “marine Caledonia as a fact” and points out assets to and stakes for the country. Features taken into consideration are natural, geographic, physical, environmental in nature, particularly regarding the biodiversity existing in shores, lagoons and reefs, and the wide expanse of sea and oceans constituting interior waters and Caledonian EEZ. Historical aspects of the country and its links with the sea are also developed, as well as the wealth of past maritime history which has been written and will continue to be. With respect to current global trends towards the role of sea and ocean for the future of our planet, and as far as new growth models are concerned, the text puts forward the valuable place of New Caledonia in this field. It is argued that, based on a maritime policy to be developed with an awareness of all advantages and future challenges, the role which Caledonia should play in the Pacific and as developed in the present dossier submitted to the RJPENC could be one of the founding documents. With this in view and after a short introduction, 19 relevant texts are presented. One text underlines how the sea fits in with society and identity. It is followed by three major issues : i) maritime issue at large and the lead role to be played by France and Europe as well as overseas territories, ii) regional maritime issues (in the South Pacific) and the place of New Caledonia in this area, iii) specific Caledonian issues. An epilogue ends the presentation.