The Law of the Sea
Seafaring nations have long argued over control of the sea and the definitions and boundaries of coastal waters. Beyond a narrow strip, a few miles wide adjacent to the coast, the high seas were regarded as open to all nations. Throughout history, and especially with the growth of international trade, disputes over control of the resources and routes the seas offered increased. It was not until 1982, with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), that this global issue was comprehensively addressed and an important multilateral ocean treaty negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations.
- Information in the full article includes
- Historical view
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- Adopting the provisions
