Zonas marítimas CONVEMAR

Maritime Zones and Their Regulations

Overview of Maritime Zones

• The discussion begins with an introduction to maritime zones regulated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which includes: internal waters, continental shelf, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and high seas.

Internal Waters

• Internal waters are defined as all waters located within the baseline of the territorial sea.

Continental Shelf

• Article 76 defines the continental shelf as comprising the seabed and subsoil of submarine areas extending beyond a coastal state's territorial sea, up to either the outer edge of its continental margin or 200 nautical miles from its baseline.

Territorial Sea

• According to Article 3, every state has the right to establish a territorial sea not exceeding 12 nautical miles from baselines determined in accordance with UNCLOS.

Contiguous Zone

• Article 33 states that a contiguous zone may extend no more than 24 nautical miles from baselines, allowing for enforcement against customs violations and immigration laws.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

• Article 57 specifies that an EEZ cannot extend beyond 200 nautical miles from baselines, granting rights over marine resources and activities within this area.

High Seas Freedom

• Article 87 emphasizes that high seas are open to all states—coastal or landlocked—and outlines freedoms such as navigation, overflight, laying cables and pipelines, constructing artificial islands, fishing, and scientific research while considering other states' interests.