Exclusive Economic Zone Analysis

The law of the sea provides for a legal framework in terms of the creation of rights and obligation of states at sea, it is a catalyst of cooperation and dialogue, but, may, at time, be the source of tension. It is undisputed that the establishment of the 200 mile EEZ has been one of the most significant changes in the field of international law. High seas that were earlier open to all countries have now, been channelized and allotted to the coastal states. The UNCLOS is a recent document that may even be called a ‘constitution for the oceans’ ; it ensures that there are certain principles that are adhered to and that there is uniformity of practice.
The Exclusive Economic Zone (Hereinafter EEZ) is a major innovation in the law of the sea. The concept finds codification in Article 55 of the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea. Articles 55 to 75 of the UNCLOS deal broadly with various aspects of the EEZ. The present paper traces the evolution and the development of the concept of the Exclusive Economic Zones. The author will also analyze the development of the concept.

EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONES
Article 55 defines the EEZ as an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial seas, it does not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the
It has been believed that the significant contribution to the field of law has come only from the West. This is not entirely true. The evolution of the EEZ concept shows that the Third World has made a significant contribution to the field of international law in terms of demarcating and establishing ‘what’ constitutes the EEZ. The Third World has always been looked at as an entity, as ‘the other’ that has to be suppressed and dominated. The most significant contributions to the growth of the EEZ concept came from the developing countries. It is time to rethink our conception of the Third World as being redundant and without an identity of their