United States waters refer to the territorial boundaries and surrounding maritime areas under the jurisdiction of the United States of America. These areas encompass both the inland and coastal waters within the country's jurisdiction, which are considered integral to the nation's interests, security, and governance.
From a legal standpoint, United States waters typically comprise the territorial seas, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from the country's coastline. Beyond the territorial seas, there are also contiguous zones, which extend an additional 24 nautical miles, providing the United States with certain limited rights to enforce customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws. Additionally, the United States may also claim an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) beyond the contiguous zone, extending up to 200 nautical miles from its coastline. Within this extensive maritime territory, the United States possesses special rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources, both living and non-living, found in the water column, on the seabed, and beneath it, including fishing and mineral resources.
Control over United States waters is of utmost importance for the country, as it ensures the exercise of sovereignty and protects national interests, including national security, economic development, environmental preservation, and natural resource management. Furthermore, the administration and regulation of these waters involve various government agencies, including the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Department of Homeland Security, among others, ensuring the protection, conservation, and sustainable use of these valuable marine resources.
