United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982

UNCLOS, signed at Montego Bay in 1982 and in force 16 November 1994, is the framework treaty for ocean governance, often called the constitution for the oceans. It defines the maritime zones (territorial sea to 12 nm, contiguous zone to 24 nm, exclusive economic zone to 200 nm, continental shelf, and high seas), codifies innocent and transit passage, and sets the regime against piracy in Articles 100 to 107. It established the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the dispute-settlement machinery navies and coastal states invoke today.