Exclusive Economic Zone

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The establishment of the EEZ under the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has had a profound effect on the exploitation of ocean resources. A coastal state has full sovereign rights over its territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) offshore. It has jurisdictional rights to exploit and manage all resources in the water and on and beneath the seabed over an area extending 200 nautical miles (370 km) from its shore. About 87% of all known hydrocarbon reserves of offshore oil and gas fields lie within EEZs, and the majority of the world's commercial fish stocks are found within them. With these exclusive rights come responsibilities. Coastal states must manage the fish stocks in a sustainable way and are encouraged to share surpluses with landlocked states. They have to limit pollution and other environmental issues, and facilitate scientific research such as oceanography. They are required to allow innocent right of passage through the EEZ to shipping, although they have the right to insist on shipping lanes and traffic separation schemes being used to reduce the risks of collisions.

M. V. Angel