Exclusive Economic Zone - Disputes

Disputes

The exact extent of exclusive economic zones is a common source of conflicts between states over marine waters.

• One well-known example of such dispute was the Cod Wars between the United Kingdom and Iceland.
• Norway and Russia dispute both territorial sea and EEZ with regard to the Svalbard archipelago as it affects Russia's EEZ due to its unique treaty status. A treaty was agreed in principle in April 2010 between the two states and subsequently ratified, resolving this demarcation dispute. The agreement was signed in Murmansk on September 15, 2010.
• The dispute over Rockall is mainly due to its effect on EEZ, not on its resources or strategic benefits.
• The South China Sea (and the Spratly Islands) is the site of an ongoing dispute between several neighboring nations.
• Croatia's ZERP (Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone) in the Adriatic Sea caused friction with Italy and Slovenia, and cause problems during Croatia's accession to the European Union.
• A wedge-shaped section of the Beaufort Sea is disputed between Canada and the United States, as the area reportedly contains substantial oil reserves.
• France claims a portion of Canada's EEZ for Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon based on a new definition of the continental shelf and EEZ between the two countries. Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is entirely surrounded by Canada's EEZ.
• Mauritius claims EEZ for Tromelin from France and EEZ for British Indian Ocean Territory from the UK.
• Northern Cyprus claims a portion of Cyprus' EEZ overlaps with that of Northern Cyprus in the south/southeastern part of the Cyprus island.
• Cyprus claims a portion of Turkey's EEZ overlaps with its own EEZ.

Regions where a permanent ice shelf extends beyond the coastline are also a source of potential dispute.