How far out from california's coast is considered territorial waters?

Answer 1

Nations historically extended their jurisdiction for a distance of 3 nautical miles from the low-water mark of their shorelines. This practice was based on the effective range of shore-based cannon fire during the 19th century, though the 3-mile limit was the accepted measure of territorial jurisdiction until the 1950s.

The federal Submerged Lands Act of 1953 (43 U.S.C. sec. 1301) granted ownership of lands and resources to coastal states such as California within a range of 3 nautical miles from their Coastlines (a nautical mile is equivalent to one minute of latitude, or 6,080 feet). The act provides a few exceptions to this rule, notably the Gulf Coast of Texas and Florida, where state jurisdiction extends to 9 miles offshore -- but this is the source of California's 3-mile jurisdiction for the offshore delivery process.

U.S. federal jurisdiction extends out from the limits of state jurisdiction. Pursuant to a 1988 proclamation by President Ronald Reagan (Proclamation No. 5928), the United States asserts sovereign rights over the seabed and waters out to 12 nautical miles from shore. Twelve miles is a surprisingly conservative distance, since a ship may easily be seen by the naked eye at that distance, but this is consistent with various international agreements.

Notwithstanding the 12-mile limit of U.S. sovereign territory, the U.S. also asserts jurisdiction over all living and non-living Natural Resources within a 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Again, this is consistent with international treaties, and this extension of U.S. jurisdiction was enacted pursuant to a 1983 proclamation by President Reagan (Proclamation No. 5030). Jurisdiction in the EEZ is exercised to control all economic resources within the zone, including fishing, mining, oil exploration and any pollution of those resources. However, the U.S cannot regulate or prohibit passage or loitering above, on or under the surface of the sea within the EEZ.

Answer 2

The US claims jurisdiction to 3 miles for some purposes, to 20 miles for some purposes and to 200 miles for economic exploitation of the ocean and ocean floor.