To begin with, countries around the world have already been practicing overfishing, mining with reckless abandon, and the destruction of underwater ecosystems all over the world for many years. Once China, Russia, the United States and many others start claiming exclusivity over parts of the seabed, what will stop these countries from putting economic value ahead of environmental security? Furthermore, this process could have dire implications in future wars, as it could allow countries like China and the United States to extend their sovereignty claims deep into the Pacific.