contiguous zone

A zone of the sea beyond the territorial seas of a nation, over which it claims exclusive rights. Under the terms of the UN Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone (1958), the contiguous zone extends between 12 and 24 nautical miles from the coastline, but it seems that, in international law, this definition has very little force.

(DOD) 1. A maritime zone adjacent to the territorial sea that may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles (nms) from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Within the contiguous zone the coastal state may exercise the control necessary to prevent and punish infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea. In all other respects the contiguous zone is an area subject to high seas freedom of navigation, overflight, and related freedoms, such as the conduct of military exercises. 2. The zone of the ocean extending 3-12 nms from the US coastline.