legal concept introduced by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea extending a country's rights over the exploitation of certain natural resources to 200 nautical miles out from the coast.

A zone of the oceans over which a particular nation has claims or exclusive control of certain economic activities, such as fishing.

The assertion of jurisdiction under the EEZ (3 nautical miles to 200 miles offshore) provides a basis for U.S. economic exploration and exploitation, scientific research, and protection of the environment. While coastal states have primary jurisdiction and control over the first three miles of the EEZ and the federal government has primary jurisdiction over and controls the remaining 197 miles, the Coastal Zone Management Act provides coastal states with substantial authority to influence federal actions beyond three nautical miles.

Exclusive economic zone, or 200-nautical-mile zone, where coastal states have sovereign rights over natural resources and certain economic activities according the Convention of the Law of the Sea promulgated by a UN conference in 1982.

A concept adopted at the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea (1982), whereby a coastal state assumes jurisdiction over the exploitation of marine resources in its adjacent section of the continental shelf, which is taken to be a band extending 200 miles from the shore (UN, 1997).

an area in which a coastal state has sovereign rights over all the economic resources of the sea, seabed and subsoil.

A wide belt of sea and seabed adjacent to the national boundaries where the state claims preferential fishing rights and control over the exploitation of mineral and other natural resources. Boundary disagreements with neighboring states sometimes prevent the extension of the EEZ to the full limits claimed. The Philippines claims a 200-nautical mile EEZ, now considered the international standard.

In the U.S., the EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coastline. Presidential Proclamation 5030 created the Exclusive Economic Zone in 1983.

A zone of the ocean under national jurisdiction (extending up to 200-nautical miles from the coastline) declared in line with the provisions of 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea, within which the coastal State has exclusive fishing rights.

a concept recognised under the United Nations Law of the Sea, whereby coastal states assume jurisdiction over the exploration and exploitation of marine resources extending 200 nautical miles from the shore or baseline

A generally 200-nautical-mile zone declared in August 1994 by Australia in line with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Australia has the right to explore and exploit, and the responsibility to conserve and manage, the living and non-living resources within this area; cf. Australian Fishing Zone.

An area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea, subject to the specific legal regime established in part V of LOSC, under which the rights and jurisdiction of the coastal State and the rights and freedoms of other States are governed by the relevant provisions. The EEZ shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

An area contiguous to the territorial sea of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. overseas territories and possessions and extending 200 nautical miles from the coastline.

All waters from the seaward boundary of coastal states to 200 nautical miles. This was formerly called the Fishery Conservation Zone.

Concept proposed at the UN Law of the Sea Conference whereby coastal states assume jurisdiction over the exploration and exploitation of marine resources.

Under the law of the sea, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources.