The Coastal Zone

Uk territorial waters


Baseline:- Lowest astronomical tide, Anything behind baseline is classed as internal waters.



Territorial Waters:- 12 nautical miles(nm) from the baseline, countries duristictions still apply here.



Contiguous Zone:- 12 nm from territorial waters, country has limited duristiction.



Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):- 200nm from baseline, can be extended to continental shelf. This is the region where exploitation of resources occurs.



What is the Coastal Zone??
The coastal Zone is defined as the region from the coastline potentially up to the 200 nautical mile line.


There is debate as to the true nature of the coastal zone as ecologically most life consists within the first 12nm of the baseline. and on the foreshore and shoreline, however due to the legislative process a country has rights up to the 200nm marker meaning that potentially they have to manage that entire distance.