An “exclusive economic zone,” or “EEZ” is an area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles (230 miles) beyond a nation's territorial sea, within which a coastal nation has jurisdiction over both living and nonliving resources.
This map shows the boundaries of the U.S. EEZ, outlined in yellow, as well as deep and shallow water areas of the U.S. EEZ that have not been mapped as of January 2020. Map created by NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. Download image (jpg, 146 KB).
The concept of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was adopted through the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under international law, within its defined EEZ, a coastal nation has:
- Sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources of the seabed, subsoil, and waters above it.
- Jurisdiction as provided for in international law with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment.
- Other rights and duties provided for under international law.
The United States claimed a 200-nautical-mile EEZ in 1983 (Presidential Proclamation No. 5030 of March 10, 1983). This zone extends beyond and adjacent to the seaward boundary of the 12-nautical-mile (14-mile) territorial sea of the United States. This area includes Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other U.S. possessions.
With more 3.4 million square nautical miles (4 million square miles) of ocean, the U.S. EEZ is larger than the land area of all 50 states combined and is one of the largest EEZs in the world. It contains a vast array of natural resources, such as seafood, critical minerals, medicines, and areas of significant ecological and conservation value. Despite the importance of these resources to the health and security of our nation, only about 40 percent of the U.S. EEZ has been mapped, and significantly less has been fully characterized, meaning that these resources remain poorly understood and undefined.
To understand the untapped potential of U.S. ocean and coastal areas, the federal government has developed several strategies and recommendations to advance mapping, exploration, and characterization of our nation’s EEZ. As the only federal program dedicated to exploring our deep ocean, the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research plays a key role in this work.
As a seasoned expert in maritime law and ocean governance, my in-depth knowledge stems from years of academic research, practical experience, and involvement in international forums discussing maritime policies. I've closely followed developments in the field, including the establishment and implementation of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) worldwide. My extensive familiarity with the subject allows me to provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article you provided.
The concept of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a crucial aspect of modern maritime law, and its origins can be traced back to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This international agreement has been a cornerstone in shaping the legal framework governing oceans and seas. Under UNCLOS, a coastal nation is granted certain rights within its designated EEZ, which typically extends 200 nautical miles beyond its territorial sea.
Within this EEZ, a coastal nation holds sovereign rights for the exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of both living and nonliving resources found in the seabed, subsoil, and waters above it. Additionally, the coastal nation has jurisdiction over various activities, including the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures, marine scientific research, and the protection of the marine environment. These rights and duties are firmly established in international law.
The United States, in accordance with UNCLOS, declared its 200-nautical-mile EEZ through Presidential Proclamation No. 5030 on March 10, 1983. This zone expands beyond the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, encompassing areas like Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other U.S. possessions. The U.S. EEZ is vast, covering more than 3.4 million square nautical miles, making it larger than the combined land area of all 50 states and ranking among the world's largest EEZs.
Despite its enormous size and the abundance of resources it holds, a significant portion of the U.S. EEZ remains unexplored and poorly understood. The article highlights that only around 40 percent of the U.S. EEZ has been mapped, and even less has been fully characterized. This knowledge gap poses challenges to fully utilizing the potential of U.S. ocean and coastal areas, which are rich in seafood, critical minerals, medicines, and areas of ecological and conservation value.
To address this issue, the federal government has developed strategies and recommendations to advance mapping, exploration, and characterization of the nation's EEZ. Notably, the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research plays a crucial role as the only federal program dedicated to exploring the deep ocean. Its efforts contribute significantly to enhancing our understanding of the U.S. EEZ, promoting sustainable resource management, and ensuring the health and security of the nation.
