The exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from a country's coast. Coastal states have exclusive rights to explore and exploit natural resources within their EEZ.

The concept of the EEZ was introduced to settle potential disputes between countries by awarding sovereign jurisdiction within boundary waters to coastal states. UNCLOS grants coastal states rights regarding fishing quotas, energy production, artificial islands, research stations, and marine preservation within their EEZs. Other countries have rights within an EEZ, including innocent passage of foreign vessels.

Disputes can arise from fishing impacts, overlapping EEZ claims, and differing interpretations of coastal states' rights.

Within their exclusive economic zones (EEZs), countries have specific rights to explore and exploit natural resources. These rights, established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), include:

• Resource exploitation Coastal states can manage fisheries and produce energy from water and wind.
• Infrastructure EEZs allow countries to construct artificial islands and research stations.
• Regulation Coastal states determine fishing quotas with a focus on sustainable management. They can either fish the entire quota or allocate the surplus to other countries.
• Other activities EEZs also govern navigation, flyover rights, and the installation of submarine cables, pipelines, and offshore wind farms.

These provisions aim to balance the coastal state's rights with the interests of other countries, allowing for the use of ocean resources while promoting international cooperation and maritime safety.

Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) off a country's coast. Within this zone, a country has exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources. The establishment of EEZs aimed to mitigate disputes over offshore activities like fishing and energy production. The concept of the EEZ was introduced to settle potential disputes between countries by awarding sovereign jurisdiction within boundary waters to coastal states.