Question

Arrange the following marine zones according to their distance from the shoreline to the seaward beginning from the nearest to the farthest:
(A). High sea, (B). Contiguous zone, (C). Territorial water, (D). Exclusive Economic Zone
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (C), (B), (D)
• B. (C), (A), (B), (D)
• C. (C), (B), (D), (A)
• D. (D), (C), (B), (A)

Hint:

Remember the standard distances in nautical miles (nm):
Territorial Sea = 12 nm.
Contiguous Zone = 24 nm.
EEZ = 200 nm.
High Sea = beyond 200 nm.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines distinct jurisdictional marine zones extending from a nation's coastal baseline.
These zones grant varying sovereign rights over resources and navigation, organized in a progressive sequence from the coast outward.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us trace the legal marine zones starting from the shoreline baseline toward the open ocean:
1. Territorial Water (C): This zone extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline. Within this area, the coastal state exercises full sovereignty over the sea, airspace, seabed, and subsoil.
2. Contiguous Zone (B): This zone extends from the outer edge of the territorial sea up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline. Here, the state can enforce laws regarding customs, taxation, immigration, and pollution.
3. Exclusive Economic Zone (D): This zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. The coastal state has sole exploitation rights over all natural resources, including fishing and mineral extraction.
4. High Sea (A): This refers to the open ocean waters beyond the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, which are free from the national jurisdiction of any single state.
Thus, the correct sequence from nearest to farthest is (C), (B), (D), (A).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct order of marine zones from the nearest to farthest is (C), (B), (D), (A).