Week 8: Lecture 8: The United Nations & Collective Security (Friday 20 March 2026)

What is UNCLOS

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; the main international legal framework governing the oceans.

What does UNCLOS regulate

Maritime zones, navigation rights, resource use, and marine environmental protection.

What is the key principle of UNCLOS

The ocean is divided into zones, each with different levels of state control.

What are internal waters

Waters landward of the baseline with full state sovereignty.

Do foreign ships have access to internal waters

No, unless permitted by the coastal state.

What is the territorial sea

Waters up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.

What rights does a coastal state have in the territorial sea

Full sovereignty, subject to innocent passage.

What is innocent passage

The right of foreign ships to pass through territorial seas quickly and peacefully.

What is prohibited under innocent passage

Threats, use of force, spying, and fishing.

What is the contiguous zone

Waters up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline.

What can states do in the contiguous zone

Enforce laws relating to customs, immigration, and sanitation.

What is the EEZ

Waters up to 200 nautical miles where states have resource rights.

What rights do states have in the EEZ

Sovereign rights over natural resources, fishing, and energy.

What rights do other states retain in the EEZ

Navigation and overflight.

What is the continental shelf

Seabed and subsoil where states have rights to exploit resources.

How far can the continental shelf extend

At least 200 nautical miles, and further if geological conditions allow.

What are the high seas

Areas beyond national jurisdiction.

What freedoms exist on the high seas

Navigation, fishing, and scientific research.

What is 'the Area' in UNCLOS

Seabed beyond national jurisdiction.

Who manages 'the Area'

The International Seabed Authority.

What is the principle of 'the Area'

Common heritage of mankind.

What is a baseline

The starting point for measuring maritime zones.

What is a normal baseline

The low-water line along the coast.

What are straight baselines

Straight lines drawn across irregular coastlines.

What is transit passage

The right of ships and aircraft to pass through international straits.

How does transit passage differ from innocent passage

It is stronger and cannot be easily restricted.

What is an archipelagic state

A state made up of islands.

What must archipelagic states allow

Archipelagic sea lanes passage.

What is flag state jurisdiction

Ships are governed by the state whose flag they fly.

When can states intervene on the high seas

Piracy, slave trade, and illegal broadcasting.

What is piracy

Illegal acts of violence for private purposes on the high seas.

What is special about piracy jurisdiction

Universal jurisdiction applies.

What environmental duties exist under UNCLOS

Protect marine environment and prevent pollution.

What must states regulate for environmental protection

Shipping, offshore activities, and dumping.

How are UNCLOS disputes settled

ITLOS, ICJ, or arbitration.

Is UNCLOS dispute settlement binding

Yes, it is compulsory and binding.

What did the Fisheries Case (UK v Norway) establish

Acceptance of straight baselines.

What did the South China Sea Arbitration clarify

EEZ rights and rejection of excessive maritime claims.

What is the main tension in UNCLOS

Sovereignty vs freedom of the seas.

What is the zonal system

Different maritime rights depending on distance from coast.

What is a key modern focus of UNCLOS

Resource control and environmental protection.

One-line summary of UNCLOS

A legal framework dividing oceans into zones balancing state control, navigation freedoms, resource rights, and environmental protection.