Exclusive Economic Zone

Definition of Exclusive Economic Zone

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) refers to maritime region extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country's coastline, within which the country has special rights over exploration and use of marine resources, both living and non-living.

While the coastal state doesn't have full sovereignty, it retains exclusive rights for fishing, mining, and energy extraction. The EEZ concept, established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), enables coastal nations to manage and exploit resources in their adjacent waters while respecting the freedom of navigation for other countries.

What is Exclusive Economic Zone?

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a designated maritime area extending 200 nautical miles from a nation's coastline.

Within this zone, the nation holds exclusive rights to exploit and manage marine resources such as fish, minerals, and energy sources. The EEZ concept, governed by international law, balances a coastal state's resource interests with the navigation and economic interests of other nations.

This zone grants the coastal state sovereign rights to control economic activities while ensuring the freedom of navigation for all states in the high seas.

What are examples of Exclusive Economic Zone?

^{United States}

^{The U.S. EEZ covers vast marine areas, including the Gulf of Mexico and parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enabling the nation to manage fishing, oil drilling, and mineral extraction.}

^Australia

^{With one of the largest EEZs, Australia controls resources in the Coral Sea, Timor Sea, and Southern Ocean. This enables the country to manage fisheries and offshore energy exploration.}

^Japan

^{Japan's EEZ extends into the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, granting it rights to rich fishing grounds and potential undersea mineral deposits.}

^Brazil

^{The Brazilian EEZ covers the Atlantic Ocean, giving the nation control over substantial offshore oil reserves and fishing resources.}

^Norway

^{Norway's EEZ includes parts of the Arctic Ocean, allowing it to regulate fishing and access to potential oil and gas reserves.}

^Indonesia

^{With an extensive EEZ in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Indonesia has authority over key fishing areas and marine biodiversity.}