Territorial Waters: Sovereignty at Sea
Definition
Territorial waters
Territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles (about 22 kilometers) from a country’s coastline. Within this zone, the coastal nation has full sovereignty, just as it does on its land territory.
- This means the country controls everything: the water, the airspace above, and the seabed below.
- For example, a country can regulate shipping, enforce laws, and exploit natural resources in its territorial waters.
- However, foreign ships are allowed innocent passage, the right to pass through these waters as long as they don’t engage in activities like fishing or military exercises.
Why Are Territorial Waters Important?
- Territorial waters are vital for protecting a nation’s coastline and regulating activities that affect its shores.
- For instance, a country can monitor pollution from passing ships, prevent illegal fishing, or respond to security threats.
- Imagine a fishing boat from a neighboring country enters territorial waters to catch fish.
- The coastal nation has the legal authority to stop the boat, impose penalties, or confiscate its catch.
- Without territorial waters, enforcing such rules would be impossible.
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs): Balancing Sovereignty and Resources
Definition
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) stretches 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 kilometers) from a country’s coastline. Within this zone, the coastal nation has sovereign rights over economic resources, such as fish, oil, and gas.
- Unlike territorial waters, an EEZ does not grant full sovereignty.
- Other countries can freely navigate, conduct scientific research, or lay submarine cables, but they cannot exploit resources without permission.
EEZs Are Essential for Managing Marine Resources
- EEZs are essential for managing marine resources.
- Nearly 90% of the world’s known offshore oil reserves and 98% of major fishing grounds are within EEZs, making them economically and strategically significant.
- Consider the Arctic, where melting sea ice is exposing untapped oil and gas reserves.
- Countries like Russia and Canada are racing to extend their claims over the Arctic seabed to secure these resources.
- These claims often depend on whether certain underwater features fall within their EEZs.
- It’s easy to confuse territorial waters and EEZs.
- Remember: territorial waters grant full sovereignty, while EEZs grant limited rights focused on economic resources.
Conflicts Over Ocean Resources
- What happens when two countries’ EEZs overlap?
- This is common in areas where coastlines are close together, such as the South China Sea.
- In these cases, countries must negotiate boundaries, but disputes often arise.
- In the South China Sea, several countries claim overlapping EEZs.
- The region is rich in fish stocks and potential oil reserves, making it a hotspot for conflict.
- China’s construction of artificial islands to strengthen its claims has further escalated tensions.
