Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): The 200-Nautical-Mile Maritime Entitlement

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime zone prescribed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982) where a coastal state holds sovereign rights (not full sovereignty) over natural resources.

Core Parameters

• Breadth: Up to 200 nautical miles (370 km / 230 mi) from the baseline (usually low-water line).
• Extended continental shelf: Up to 350 nm (or 100 nm beyond the 2,500 m isobath) if geological criteria are met (UNCLOS Art. 76).
• Vertical scope: Seabed, subsoil, superjacent waters, and airspace above.

Sovereign Rights (UNCLOS Art. 56)

• Exploration & exploitation of living (fish) and non-living (oil, gas, minerals, nodules) resources.
• Energy production from water (currents, thermal, wave) and wind.
• Artificial islands, installations, structures.
• Marine scientific research (consent required).
• Environmental protection (pollution control, conservation).

What the EEZ Is NOT

• Not territorial sea: No sovereignty over water column; foreign vessels enjoy freedom of navigation, overflight, and laying cables/pipelines (Art. 58).
• Not automatic: Must be claimed; ~150 coastal states have declared EEZs.
• Not applicable to landlocked states (but they have transit rights).

Overlaps and Disputes

Adjacent/opposite states must delimit boundaries by agreement (equidistance/relevant circumstances). Major disputes: South China Sea, East Mediterranean, Beaufort Sea (Canada/US), Falklands/Malvinas.

Economic Stakes

EEZs encompass ~38% of global ocean area and 90% of global fisheries catch. They are the legal bedrock of the "Blue Economy"—offshore energy, seabed mining, bioprospecting, aquaculture.