Twelvemile limits refer to the boundaries established by a country or jurisdiction, extending 12 nautical miles (approximately 22.2 kilometers) from its coastal baseline into the adjacent seas or oceans. These limits are also known as territorial seas or territorial waters and are considered a part of a country's sovereign territory.
The concept of twelvemile limits is rooted in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an international treaty that outlines the legal framework for the use and protection of the world's oceans. According to UNCLOS, each coastal state has the right to establish jurisdiction over the waters extending 12 nautical miles from its coast, which includes controlling the airspace above these waters and regulating numerous activities, such as fishing, navigation, and resource exploitation within this zone.
The establishment of twelvemile limits serves several purposes. Firstly, it helps countries maintain control and safeguard their national security in the surrounding maritime areas. Secondly, it allows states to exercise their sovereign rights over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals found within these limits. Additionally, these boundaries facilitate the enforcement of domestic laws, including customs, immigration, and environmental regulations, within the designated maritime area.
The twelvemile limits are an essential aspect of a nation's maritime policy and play a vital role in defining its territorial authority and responsibilities in relation to the adjacent seas or oceans.
