EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE (EEZ)

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime zone that extends beyond a country's territorial sea and is established by coastal nations according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The EEZ provides a sovereign state with certain rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources within that zone.

Key features of an EEZ include:

1. Resource Rights: The coastal state has the exclusive rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources found in the waters, seabed, and subsoil within the EEZ. This includes resources like fish, oil, gas, and minerals.

2. Sovereign Rights: The nation holds sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources, both living (like fish) and non-living (such as oil and gas) within the EEZ.

3. Jurisdiction: The coastal state has the authority to regulate various activities within the zone, including scientific research, environmental protection, and the construction of artificial islands or structures for economic purposes.

An EEZ typically extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from the coastline, but it can be modified based on specific geographical conditions or agreements between neighboring countries. It's important to note that while coastal states have rights within their EEZs, other nations have the freedom of navigation and overflight through these zones, as well as the right to lay submarine cables and pipelines in accordance with international law

3.Rights of the country in the EEZ

Within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), countries have specific rights granted by international law, primarily defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Some of these rights include:

• The coastal state has the exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources, both living (like fish) and non-living (such as oil, gas, and minerals), within its EEZ
• Nations can conduct various economic activities, including fishing, mining, and the extraction of oil and gas, subject to their own regulations and in compliance with international agreements and environmental conservation principles
• Coastal states have the right to conduct scientific research and surveys related to marine ecosystems, resources, and environmental factors within their EEZ
• Countries are responsible for the conservation and management of the marine environment within their EEZ, ensuring that activities carried out do not harm the ecosystem or endanger marine life
• The coastal state has regulatory jurisdiction over the EEZ, allowing it to establish and enforce laws related to customs, immigration, sanitation, and other matters concerning economic activities and environmental protection within this zone
• Nations can construct artificial islands, installations, and structures for economic purposes within their EEZ, provided they comply with international regulations and environmental safeguards
• While coastal states have exclusive rights to the resources within their EEZ, other countries have the freedom of navigation and overflight through these zones for purposes like shipping, laying cables, and conducting military activities, as permitted by international law

Territorial Waters

The territorial waters of a nation encompass all water regions under its authority, consisting of internal waters, the territorial sea, contiguous zone, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and potentially extending to the continental shelf.

Territorial Sea

The territorial sea is a concept in international law that refers to the belt of coastal waters extending from a country's baseline (usually the low-water line along the coast) outwards for up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 kilometers), as recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Contiguous Zone

The contiguous zone is an area of water that extends beyond a country's territorial sea, stretching up to 24 nautical miles (44.4 kilometers) from the baseline. In this zone, a coastal state can exert limited control for the purpose of preventing or punishing infringements of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary regulations within its territory or territorial sea. While it allows for certain enforcement measures, it doesn't grant full sovereignty, unlike the territorial sea

5. India and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

• India has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from its coastline.
• Within this zone, India holds exclusive rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources, both living and non-living, such as fish, oil, gas, minerals, and other marine resources.
• The EEZ of India is significant, offering opportunities for economic activities like fishing, offshore energy exploration, scientific research, and environmental protection.
• India exercises jurisdictional control over this zone, regulating various activities and safeguarding the marine environment in accordance with international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• Additionally, while India has exclusive rights to the resources within its EEZ, other nations have the freedom of navigation and overflight through these waters, respecting India's sovereign rights and complying with international laws and agreements.