Leslie Massey
Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a sea area where the country has exclusive rights to marine resources, including energy production. It extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles (22 to 370 km) off the coast of Australia and its territories, except where maritime agreements exist with other states. Australia's EEZ covers 8,148,250 square kilometres, making it the third-largest in the world. Additionally, Australia has rights over 2.5 million square kilometres of seabed beyond its EEZ and claims approximately 2 million square kilometres of EEZ from its Antarctic Territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of declaration | 1 August 1994 |
| Area | 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi) |
| Area in comparison to land territory | Exceeds its land territory |
| EEZ from Antarctic Territory | 2 million square kilometres (770,000 sq mi) |
| Total EEZ including Antarctic Territory | 10 million square kilometres |
| Extent from the coastline | 12 to 200 nautical miles (22 to 370 km) |
| Territorial waters | 12 nautical miles from the coastline |
| Additional seabed area confirmed by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) | 2.5 million square kilometres |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's EEZ size
Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is extensive, covering a total area of approximately 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi). This EEZ was declared on 1 August 1994 and extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles (22 to 370 km) from the Australian coastline and its external territories. It is worth noting that Australia's territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the coast, as defined by international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In addition to its EEZ, Australia has claimed sovereign rights to explore and exploit the natural resources of the continental shelf beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit. This includes an additional 2.5 million square kilometres (970,000 sq mi) of the seabed confirmed by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in 2008. Furthermore, Australia has claimed an additional Continental Shelf extension past its EEZ from its Antarctic Territory, totalling approximately 2 million square kilometres (770,000 sq mi).
The EEZ provides Australia with exclusive rights to explore and utilise marine resources within the zone, including energy production from water and wind. It also grants jurisdiction over marine scientific research and the protection and preservation of the marine environment. Australia's EEZ borders those of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, New Caledonia (France), the Solomon Islands, and New Zealand.
The Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ), established in 1979, covers Commonwealth waters from 3 to 200 nautical miles from the coast. It is managed by the Australian Government under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and covers over 8 million square kilometres. The AFZ is distinct from the EEZ, focusing on the management and protection of Commonwealth fisheries.
Australia's EEZ is the third-largest in the world, surpassed only by those of France and the United States. The size and extent of Australia's EEZ and its additional continental shelf claims grant the nation significant maritime territory and access to valuable natural resources.
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EEZ rights and restrictions
Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was declared on 1 August 1994. It extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles (22 to 370 km) from the coastline of Australia and its external territories, except where a maritime delimitation agreement exists with another state. Australia has the third-largest exclusive economic zone, with a total area of 8,148,250 square kilometres, which exceeds its land territory.
In terms of EEZ rights and restrictions, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defines an EEZ as an area of the sea in which a sovereign state has exclusive rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. This means that within its EEZ, Australia has the right to explore and exploit marine resources, including energy production. It also has the right to control and manage economic development and scientific research activities within the zone.
However, it is important to note that the EEZ does not confer full sovereignty over the waters. Instead, it is considered a "sovereign right", which refers to the coastal state's rights below the surface of the sea. Australia's rights over its EEZ are also subject to any existing maritime delimitation agreements with other states.
In addition to the rights conferred by an EEZ, states also have rights to the seabed of the extended continental shelf up to 350 nautical miles (648 km) from the coastal baseline, beyond their exclusive economic zones. This area is not part of their exclusive economic zones but provides additional rights to the seabed and subsoil resources.
Australia has claimed additional continental shelf rights beyond its EEZ from its Antarctic Territory. These claims were initially deferred at Australia's request but were later confirmed by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in April 2008, granting Australia rights over an additional 2.5 million square kilometres of seabed beyond its EEZ.
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Australia's maritime borders
Australia has the third-largest exclusive economic zone, with a total area of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi), exceeding its land territory. This EEZ is distinct from the additional 2.5 million square kilometres of the continental shelf confirmed by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in April 2008. Australia also claimed additional Continental Shelf past its EEZ from the Australian Antarctic Territory, which is approximately 2 million square kilometres.
Australia shares maritime borders with several countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. To the north and east, Australia has maritime boundaries with Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, New Caledonia (France), the Solomon Islands, and New Zealand. These boundaries start in the Indian Ocean and run through the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea, Torres Strait, and Coral Sea before ending in the Pacific Ocean. There is also a maritime border between Australia and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean between Australia's external territory of Christmas Island and Indonesia's Java Island.
The concept of exclusive economic zones emerged in the late 20th century to give nations more control over maritime affairs outside their territorial limits. According to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an EEZ is an area where a sovereign state has exclusive rights to explore and use marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. While the EEZ gives sovereign rights below the surface of the sea, territorial waters confer full sovereignty over the waters themselves.
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EEZ vs territorial waters
Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was declared on 1 August 1994 and extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles from the coastline of Australia and its external territories. To the 12 nautical-mile boundary is Australia's territorial waters.
An exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is an area of the sea in which a sovereign state has exclusive rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. It stretches from the outer limit of the territorial sea (22.224 kilometres or 12 nautical miles from the baseline) out 370.4 kilometres (or 200 nautical miles) from the coast of the state in question. The exact extent of exclusive economic zones is a common source of conflict between states over marine waters.
The difference between territorial waters and an exclusive economic zone is that the first confers full sovereignty over the waters, whereas the second is merely a "sovereign right" referring to the coastal state's rights below the surface of the sea. Territorial waters extend to 12 nautical miles (22 km) beyond the shore, whereas the exclusive economic zone stretches much further into the sea.
Australia has the third-largest exclusive economic zone, with a total area of 8,148,250 square kilometres, exceeding its land territory. Australia's EEZ from its Antarctic Territory is approximately 2 million square kilometres. The United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) confirmed, in April 2008, Australia's rights over an additional 2.5 million square kilometres of the seabed beyond the limits of Australia's EEZ.
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Australia's Antarctic Territory EEZ
Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was declared on 1 August 1994. It extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles (22 to 370 km) from the coastline of Australia and its external territories. Australia has the third-largest exclusive economic zone, with a total area of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi), exceeding its land territory.
The United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) confirmed in April 2008 that Australia has rights over an additional 2.5 million square kilometres (970,000 sq mi) of the seabed beyond its EEZ. Australia also claimed additional territory past its EEZ from the Australian Antarctic Territory, but these claims were deferred at Australia's request.
The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of East Antarctica claimed by Australia as an external territory. It is administered by the Australian Antarctic Division, an agency of the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The AAT consists of all islands and territories south of 60°S and between 44°38′E and 160°E, except for Adélie Land, which divides the territory into Western AAT and Eastern AAT. The territory's history dates back to a claim on Enderby Land made by the United Kingdom in 1841, which was later transferred to Australia in 1933. Australia's EEZ from its Antarctic Territory is approximately 2 million square kilometres (770,000 sq mi).
Australia's proclamation of an Antarctic EEZ is contested. Article IV of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty prohibits new territorial claims or the extension of existing claims in the Antarctic. Only four other countries accept Australia's claim to sovereignty in Antarctica: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Norway, which have territorial claims in Antarctica and mutually recognize each other's claims.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covers a total area of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi), exceeding its land territory.
Australia's EEZ extends from 12 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles (22 to 370 km) from its coastline and its external territories.
Australia has the third-largest exclusive economic zone, behind France and the United States, but ahead of Russia.
