freedom of the seas
Oceanic navigation rights
Freedom of the seas is the principle that international waters belong to no nation and remain open to all for navigation and fishing.
The concept distinguishes territorial waters near coastlines, which countries control, from the high seas beyond.
The doctrine of freedom of the seas has governed maritime law for centuries.
In wartime, the principle becomes contested as belligerents attempt to blockade enemies.
- law of the seaInternational ocean regulations
- international lawRules governing relations between countries
- open waterUnobstructed body navigable freely
- openNot closed
- lawBinding principle or regulation
international relations · innocent passage · maritime · sail · merchant ships · piracy · sovereignty · naval power · navigation · international waters · territorial sea · shipping · jurisdiction · wave · intervention · sea lanes · deep-sea mining · continental shelf
- sea lawlaw of the sea, continental shelf, territorial waters, coastal waters, baselines
- maritime lawmaritime piracy, admiralty, law of the sea, salvage rights, towage
freedom of the seasterritorial waters
Sovereign coastal sea zone
freedom, free, freely, freed, freeing, freest, unfree, freeborn, seas