An additional reason for retaining the Falklands.
Under UNCLOS* every littoral country (one bordering the sea) is entitled to control over that sea, out to certain distances and conditions.
In simple terms, the ‘territorial sea’ extends 12 miles offshore and within that the country has absolute control over the surface of the sea and ships, down to the seabed and everything under it. There is a further zone extending up to 200 miles called the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) inside which the country has special rights concerning the use of maritime resources (e.g. fishing) and energy production (e.g. oil drilling, wind farms, minerals).
Where two countries are fewer than 400 miles apart, so that their EEZ boundaries would overlap, it is normal for each to claim half the actual distance that they are apart but shorter claims could be made.
The seas around the Falklands are rich in fish and seabed minerals and hydrocarbons, the latter not yet commercially exploited.
Because Argentina does not recognise the right of the Falklands to belong to Britain, it does not recognise the Falklands EEZ, or its associated rights outlined above. At present, Argentina is making it politically and financially difficult for third-party countries to explore within the Falklands EEZ.
This map shows the two countries claimed EEZ and the disputed area between them. Note that the Falklands claim a shorter EEZ than the precise ‘half distance’ between Argentina and the Falklands.