The world's exclusive economic zones The ocean within 200 nautical miles of a country's seashore is that country's exclusive economic zone. (more) Who Owns the Oceans? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Who-Owns-the-Oceans Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 26, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How far does a countryu2019s sovereignty extend into the ocean? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "A countryu2019s sovereignty extends to a maximum of 12 nautical miles from its coastline. The portions of the ocean over which countries have sovereignty are known as territorial waters." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is an exclusive economic zone? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "An exclusive economic zone is an area of the ocean extending up to 200 nautical miles from a countryu2019s coast, in which the country has exclusive rights to exploit marine resources." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the high seas? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The high seas are international waters beyond exclusive economic zones, not owned or controlled by any country and open for navigation, fishing, and other activities under international laws." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the role of the International Seabed Authority? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The International Seabed Authority manages mineral resources on the ocean floor beyond national jurisdictions, ensuring benefits are shared globally and exploitation is regulated." } } ] } Top Questions How far does a country’s sovereignty extend into the ocean? A country’s sovereignty extends to a maximum of 12 nautical miles from its coastline. The portions of the ocean over which countries have sovereignty are known as territorial waters.

　　What is an exclusive economic zone? An exclusive economic zone is an area of the ocean extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast, in which the country has exclusive rights to exploit marine resources.

　　What are the high seas? The high seas are international waters beyond exclusive economic zones, not owned or controlled by any country and open for navigation, fishing, and other activities under international laws.

　　What is the role of the International Seabed Authority? The International Seabed Authority manages mineral resources on the ocean floor beyond national jurisdictions, ensuring benefits are shared globally and exploitation is regulated.

　　The ocean, understood as the body of saltwater that covers nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, is not literally owned by anyone or anything. Rather, its use as an avenue of transportation or shipment, as a vast body of natural resources, and as an object of scientific exploration or research is governed by a complex framework of international laws codified in 1982 in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which entered into force in 1994. Under UNCLOS, a country’s sovereign territory extends to a maximum of 12 nautical miles from its coastline, a portion of ...(100 of 275 words)

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