Law of Sea
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The Law of the Sea refers to the body of international law that governs the rights and responsibilities of states in the world's oceans and seas. It provides a framework for the use and conservation of marine resources, the establishment of maritime boundaries, and the regulation of maritime activities. The primary instrument governing the Law of the Sea is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994.
Territorial sea: The territorial sea is the area of the ocean adjacent to a coastal state's land territory. It extends up to 12 nautical miles (nm) from the baselines of the coastal state. Within this zone, the coastal state has sovereignty, including the right to regulate and control navigation, fishing, and other activities.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): The EEZ is an area extending up to 200 nm from the baselines of the coastal state. Within this zone, the coastal state has special rights and jurisdiction over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, both living (fisheries) and non-living (oil, gas, minerals), as well as the jurisdiction to establish and enforce environmental and conservation laws.
Continental shelf: The continental shelf is the extension of a coastal state's land territory beyond its territorial sea. It comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond the territorial sea up to the outer edge of the continental margin, or up to a distance of 200 nm from the baselines. Coastal states have sovereign rights over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources in their continental shelf.
High seas: The high seas are areas of the ocean beyond any national jurisdiction. They are open to all states and are considered the common heritage of mankind. The high seas include freedoms such as freedom of navigation, overflight, fishing, laying of submarine cables, and scientific research. States have a duty to cooperate in the conservation and management of living resources in the high seas.
International seabed area: The international seabed area, beyond national jurisdiction, is governed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The ISA is responsible for managing and regulating activities related to deep-sea mining and ensuring the equitable sharing of benefits derived from such activities.
Navigation and innocent passage: UNCLOS guarantees the freedom of navigation on the high seas and through the territorial sea, subject to certain rights and obligations. States have the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea, meaning ships must transit through without engaging in any prejudicial activities to the coastal state's peace, security, or environment.
Dispute settlement: UNCLOS provides mechanisms for the settlement of disputes related to the interpretation or application of its provisions. Disputes can be resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or adjudication before the International Court of Justice or an ad hoc arbitral tribunal.
UNCLOS has been widely ratified, with over 160 states party to the convention. It serves as the foundation for the governance of oceans and seas, promoting cooperation, conservation, and the sustainable use of marine resources while protecting the marine environment.
Territorial sea: The territorial sea is the area of the ocean adjacent to a coastal state's land territory. It extends up to 12 nautical miles (nm) from the baselines of the coastal state. Within this zone, the coastal state has sovereignty, including the right to regulate and control navigation, fishing, and other activities.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): The EEZ is an area extending up to 200 nm from the baselines of the coastal state. Within this zone, the coastal state has special rights and jurisdiction over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, both living (fisheries) and non-living (oil, gas, minerals), as well as the jurisdiction to establish and enforce environmental and conservation laws.
Continental shelf: The continental shelf is the extension of a coastal state's land territory beyond its territorial sea. It comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond the territorial sea up to the outer edge of the continental margin, or up to a distance of 200 nm from the baselines. Coastal states have sovereign rights over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources in their continental shelf.
High seas: The high seas are areas of the ocean beyond any national jurisdiction. They are open to all states and are considered the common heritage of mankind. The high seas include freedoms such as freedom of navigation, overflight, fishing, laying of submarine cables, and scientific research. States have a duty to cooperate in the conservation and management of living resources in the high seas.
International seabed area: The international seabed area, beyond national jurisdiction, is governed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The ISA is responsible for managing and regulating activities related to deep-sea mining and ensuring the equitable sharing of benefits derived from such activities.
Navigation and innocent passage: UNCLOS guarantees the freedom of navigation on the high seas and through the territorial sea, subject to certain rights and obligations. States have the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea, meaning ships must transit through without engaging in any prejudicial activities to the coastal state's peace, security, or environment.
Dispute settlement: UNCLOS provides mechanisms for the settlement of disputes related to the interpretation or application of its provisions. Disputes can be resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or adjudication before the International Court of Justice or an ad hoc arbitral tribunal.
UNCLOS has been widely ratified, with over 160 states party to the convention. It serves as the foundation for the governance of oceans and seas, promoting cooperation, conservation, and the sustainable use of marine resources while protecting the marine environment.
