As per the Convention on the High Seas (Geneva, 29 April 1958), the term “high seas” means all parts of the sea that are not included in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of a State.
- The high seas begin at the border of a nation’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which by international law reaches no more than 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from its coast, and beyond any state’s jurisdiction.
- The high seas being open to all nations, no State may validly purport to subject any part of them to its sovereignty.
- Freedom of the high seas is exercised under the conditions laid down by these articles and by the other rules of international law.
Freedom of the high seas
It comprises, inter alia, both for coastal and non-coastal States:
- Freedom of navigation;
- Freedom of fishing;
- Freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines;
- Freedom to fly over the high seas.
