Abstract
This article explores the historical events relating to the competing claims over the Minerva Reefs by Tonga and Fiji. Tonga’s sovereign claim over the Minerva Reefs was prompted by a private group’s attempt to establish a sovereign nation on the Reefs in 1972. At that time, Fiji, as well as the South Pacific Forum, recognized Tonga as the only possible owner of the Minerva Reefs, but did not explicitly recognize Tonga’s claimed sovereign title. Such position reflected the legal uncertainty in relation to Tonga’s claim in 1972. The establishment of the 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone legal regime in the late 1970s gave rise to Fiji’s claim to the Minerva Reefs, whereas subsequent developments in international law have significantly reduced the legal uncertainty in relation to Tonga’s claim.