Exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

Definition

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a concept defined by international law that allows coastal nations to claim exclusive rights to use marine resources within a 200 nautical mile radius from their coast. Within this zone, the state has sole exploitation rights over all natural resources. This can include fishing, oil exploration, and the generation of energy from water and wind.

Key Takeaways

1. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind.
2. Every Coastal country has the right to establish an EEZ that extends up to 200 nautical miles from its shores. Within this area, the country has the ability to control and regulate both the surface water and the sea bed beneath.
3. While a nation has exclusive rights to the resources within its EEZ, it’s important to note that the EEZ is not considered a nation’s sovereign territory, meaning the waters above the sea floor are international waters for the purposes of navigation and overflight. To put it simply, other states, both coastal and land-locked, have freedom of navigation and overflight, and freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines.

Importance

The term Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) holds significant importance in military operations due to its implications for resource rights, sovereignty, and national security.

Extending 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline, the EEZ allows a country to exert exclusive rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage marine resources, including both the water column and the underlying seabed.

This not only ensures access to potentially valuable resources but is intrinsic to the concept of maritime territorial sovereignty.

In terms of military endeavors, control of these zones can greatly influence strategic positioning, freedom of navigation and the ability to project power or defend key areas.

Violations or disputes within these zones can often escalate into substantial international conflicts, further highlighting their strategic importance in military operations.

Explanation

The purpose of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is closely tied to upholding the rights, jurisdiction, and duties of coastal nations in relation to the exploration and use of marine resources. This particular zone extends 200 nautical miles from the coast of a sovereign nation, granting that nation special rights to the exploration and exploitation of marine resources, both living and non-living, within that zone.

This ensures that the nation has control over the natual resources and various economic activities within that area, significantly contributing to the nation’s economic sovereignty and security. The usage of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompasses a vast array of activities such as fishing, oil exploration, marine research, and energy production from water and wind.

In addition to managing and sustaining marine resources, the EEZ can serve as a zone for establishing maritime boundaries and for exercising control over marine scientific research. Furthermore, it offers strategic advantages in terms of military operations, as control over significant maritime zones can play a key role in matters of national defense and security.

All in all, the EEZ plays a considerable role in enforcing marine laws, enhancing economic prosperity, supporting sustainable development, and strengthening national security.

Examples of Exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

South China Sea Dispute: Several countries in Asia, including China, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan, have overlapping claims of sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea, which is a rich resource area including oil and fishery. The established EEZs according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) have been a crucial part of the disputes.

Norway and Russia Barents Sea EEZ Agreement: In 2010, Norway and Russia agreed on the delimitation of their respective EEZs in the Barents Sea, putting an end to a four-decade-long dispute over the apportioning of the arctic region, which is rich in oil and gas reserves.

The Falkland Islands Dispute: This is a dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and their surrounding maritime EEZ, which are currently under UK control but claimed by Argentina.

FAQ: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

What is an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, over which a state has special rights to explore and exploit the marine resources, both living and non-living.

How is the EEZ different from territorial waters?

While territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline of a coast, an EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles. Within its territorial waters, a state has sovereignty: it may set laws, regulate use, and exploit any resource. In the EEZ, it has rights to exploit, produce, and regulate the marine environment and resources.

Can other countries conduct military operations in an EEZ?

Yes, other countries can conduct military operations in an EEZ as long as it does not interfere with the coastal state’s rights and freedoms or other lawful uses of the sea, and is in accordance with international law.

Who enforces the laws within an EEZ?

It is the responsibility of the state that the EEZ belongs to, to enforce laws within the EEZ. The state can regulate the exploration and exploitation of marine resources and oversee environmental protection, scientific research, and the establishment of artificial islands and installations.

Do all countries have an EEZ?

Yes, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows all coastal states to claim an EEZ. Landlocked states do not have an EEZ, but they can benefit from the resources as per the UNCLOS.

Related Military Operation Terms

Sure, here is a list of five terms related to the VA benefits term “Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)” in html bulletpoint form:

• Maritime Boundary
• Continental Shelf
• Territorial Waters
• International Waters
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Sources for More Information

• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency
• U.S. Department of State – Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs