The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), delineating a maritime area where a sovereign nation holds specific rights regarding the exploration and utilization of marine resources.
- These resources encompass various forms, including wind and water energy generation, as well as the extraction of oil and natural gas.
- The EEZ comprises the maritime region adjacent to and extending beyond the territorial sea, reaching a maximum span of 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
- Typically, this baseline is determined as the low-water line along the coast, as indicated on officially approved large-scale charts of the coastal state.
- Notably, the EEZ excludes both the territorial sea and the continental shelf beyond the 200-nautical-mile mark, while encompassing the contiguous zone.
- Within the EEZ, the nation possesses rights over natural resources and exercises jurisdiction over certain activities, particularly those pertaining to environmental preservation.
- Nonetheless, it must also uphold the rights of other nations within the EEZ, including the freedom of navigation.
A key distinction between the territorial sea and the EEZ lies in sovereignty: while the former grants full sovereignty over the waters, the latter bestows a “sovereign right,” predominantly concerning the coastal nation’s sub-surface rights. Surface waters within the EEZ remain classified as international waters.
Rights of the country in the EEZ
The rights held by the coastal state include:
- Exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of both living and non-living natural resources.
- Generation of energy from wind, currents, and water.
- Establishment and utilization of artificial islands, structures, and installations.
- Conducting marine scientific research.
- Protection and preservation of the marine environment.
- The accompanying image will provide a clearer depiction of the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Territorial Waters
- Territorial waters refer to the areas of water under a country’s jurisdiction, encompassing internal waters, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and potentially the continental shelf.
Territorial Sea
- According to the UNCLOS, the territorial sea extends from the baseline to 12 nautical miles and is considered sovereign territory of the state. However, foreign civilian and military ships are allowed “innocent passage” through it. Sovereignty extends to the seabed below and the airspace above. The EEZ begins at the edge of the territorial sea.
Contiguous Zone
- The contiguous zone extends from the edge of the territorial sea to 24 nautical miles from the baseline, an additional 12 nautical miles beyond the territorial sea. It is part of the EEZ. In this zone, states have limited control to enforce customs, immigration, sanitary, or fiscal laws, with enforcement typically limited to taxation, customs, pollution, and immigration.
India and the Exclusive Economic Zone
The Geoscientific Study of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone Programme, led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is dedicated to mapping India’s EEZs. The primary objectives of this program are as follows:
- Utilizing multibeam swath bathymetry technologies to map India’s EEZ comprehensively.
- Conducting systematic sediment sampling and analysis to evaluate the potential of seabed resources within the EEZ.
- Enhancing understanding of seabed morphology and advancing knowledge on scientific issues such as the paleoclimatic regime of the Indian peninsula.
- Establishing a cutting-edge marine geoscientific database to facilitate archival and retrieval, ensuring dissemination to the scientific community for approved projects under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
FAQs
1. What is an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
- An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is an area of coastal water extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s shoreline. Within this zone, the country has exclusive rights for exploring and exploiting marine resources, such as fishing, mining, and drilling for oil and gas.
2. How is an EEZ different from territorial waters?
- Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from a country’s coastline and represent sovereign territory. In contrast, an EEZ extends further, up to 200 nautical miles, and grants the country exclusive rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, but not sovereignty.
3. Can other countries navigate through an EEZ?
- Yes, other countries enjoy the right of innocent passage through an EEZ. This means that foreign vessels, including military ships, have the right to pass through the EEZ as long as they do not engage in activities that threaten the peace, security, or the environment of the coastal state.
4. How are EEZ boundaries determined?
- EEZ boundaries are established based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines the rights and responsibilities of nations concerning the use of the world’s oceans. EEZ boundaries are often determined through bilateral or multilateral agreements between neighboring countries or through arbitration.
5. What are the primary benefits of having an EEZ?
- Having an EEZ provides several benefits to coastal states, including:
- Exclusive rights to exploit and manage marine resources, leading to economic opportunities and revenue generation.
- Enhanced security by enabling coastal states to regulate and monitor activities within their maritime zones.
- Protection and preservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity through effective management and conservation measures within the EEZ.
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