Originally Posted by Sea Toby

Up until the new EEZs were recognized by the UN, a nation's territory was only 3 miles off the coast. Anything beyond 3 miles was/is considered international waters. While a ship can still sail beyond 3 miles off the coast, the ships can't take any resources today. Nations have economic rights now up to 200 miles off the coast. This is a huge difference considering oil and fishing rights, not to mention legal ramifications of oil spills and salvage.

Most nations are building ocean patrol vessels to watch over their economic zones to defend their economic rights, if not their territories. Most nations liked the 3 mile limit when it came to sailing around a nation, except when it came to their fishing stocks, and oil rights. Sweet compromise.