An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from the baseline of a coastal state. In this zone, the coastal state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind, and the management of fisheries.
Within the EEZ, the coastal state has sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the seabed and subsoil, and the waters superjacent thereto. However, other states enjoy the freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as the freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines, subject to certain conditions.
The concept of the EEZ was developed to address issues related to the exploitation of marine resources beyond territorial waters and to provide a framework for cooperation and management of these resources among coastal states and the international community.
Legal Basis: The legal framework for EEZs is primarily established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted in 1982 and came into force in 1994. UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, including the establishment and governance of EEZs.
Sovereign Rights vs. Territorial Sovereignty: It's important to note that an EEZ is distinct from territorial waters. While territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from a coastal state's baseline and represent full sovereignty, an EEZ grants the coastal state sovereign rights over the resources within the zone, but not sovereignty over the waters themselves.
Resource Exploitation: The primary purpose of establishing an EEZ is to provide coastal states with exclusive rights to explore and exploit the natural resources present in the waters and seabed within the zone. This includes resources such as fish, oil, gas, minerals, and other marine resources.
Environmental Protection: Coastal states are also responsible for conserving and managing the marine environment within their EEZs. This includes measures to prevent pollution, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable use of marine resources.
Delimitation and Disputes: Delimitation of EEZ boundaries can sometimes lead to disputes between neighboring states, especially in regions where maritime boundaries are not well-defined. UNCLOS provides mechanisms for resolving such disputes, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
International
Cooperation: Despite the exclusive rights granted to
coastal states within their EEZs, UNCLOS also emphasizes the importance of
international cooperation in the management and conservation of marine
resources. This includes sharing scientific data, coordinating fisheries
management, and addressing transboundary environmental issues.
