Legal Definitions - law of the sea

LAW OF THE SEA

The Law of the Sea is a set of international laws that govern how countries use and manage the ocean and its resources.

• Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) - Countries have the right to explore, exploit, and manage the natural resources within 200 nautical miles of their coastline.
• Freedom of Navigation - Ships from any country have the right to travel through international waters without interference.
• International Seabed Authority - An organization that regulates deep-sea mining and ensures that the benefits are shared equitably among all countries.

These examples illustrate how the Law of the Sea provides a framework for countries to use and manage the ocean in a fair and sustainable way. The EEZs allow countries to benefit from the resources within their own waters, while freedom of navigation ensures that all countries can access international waters for trade and other purposes. The International Seabed Authority helps to prevent overexploitation of deep-sea resources and ensures that the benefits are shared among all countries, not just those with the technology and resources to mine the ocean floor.