UNCLOS stands for United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea.

It is also referred to as the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty and is effective from the year 1982. This is the only international treaty that provides a basis for state sovereignty in maritime areas. It gives different maritime zones different legal statuses.

UNCLOS divides marine areas into five main zones:

• The low-water line called Baseline along the coast is officially recognized by the coastal state.
• Internal Waters: These are waters on the landward side of the baseline.
• Territorial Sea: It extends seaward up to 12 nautical miles (nm) from its baselines.
• Contiguous Zone: It extends seaward up to 24 nm from its baselines.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Each coastal State may claim an EEZ beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea that extends seaward up to 200 nm from its baselines.
• High Seas: The ocean surface and the water column beyond the EEZ are referred to as the high seas.