The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

High Seas

in international law, that part of the world ocean that is outside the territorial waters of any state and is for the general use of all states.

The high seas are used on the basis of the generally accepted international legal principle of freedom of the seas, which stipulates that no country has the right to extend its authority to the high seas or to the air space above. The principle was affirmed by the 1958 Geneva Convention on the High Seas. All states have rights to commercial and military navigation on the high seas, to fish and hunt marine animals, to lay cable and pipelines, and to conduct scientific research; the aircraft of all countries may fly freely over the high seas.

A ship on the high seas is governed only by the authority of that state whose flag it flies. This is known as flag jurisdiction. An exception to this rule is the right of a foreign warship to stop and inspect another vessel on the high seas under certain conditions. During time of war, the high seas may become a theater of military operations.

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References in periodicals archive

"The FONOPs of these naval powers powerfully refute the Chinese claim that there are no high seas and exclusive economic zones within China's nine-dashed line claim in the South China Sea," Carpio said.

Naval operations of foreign powers refute China's claim, enforce arbitral award

Convention expressly prohibits transhipment on the high seas and in a

THE IMPRACTICABILITY EXEMPTION TO THE WCPFC'S PROHIBITION ON TRANSHIPMENT ON THE HIGH SEAS

'The waters in the high seas belong to all mankind, and the resources in the EEZ belong solely to the adjacent coastal states,' he added.

Carpio rallies Filipinos: Teach Chinese people they don't own South China Sea

"The Government of the Republic of Cyprus kindly requests your assistance in conveying a strong message to Ankara to the effect that the Republic of Turkey must comply with international law, namely that it must observe the customary principle of the freedom of the high seas, including the freedom of fishing therein.

Cyprus asks UNSG to convey strong message to Ankara on respect for international law

"Our results provide critical information for designing international cooperative agreements needed to manage these species, including what countries should be cooperating to manage each species, when during the year migratory animals are in each country, and how much time the animals spend in the high seas," Harrison said.

Migratory species in Pacific Ocean endangered of extinction

Talk will focus on "the high seas and the international zone of marine waters, or about 46 percent of the planet's surface," he added.

UN Set for Talks on Treaty to Protect Imperiled High Seas

The second destination package starts at the Manila port followed by a day cruising the high seas on the way to Ishigaki, Japan, on the third day.

Cruising the high seas in effortless indulgence

The success of Pakistan Navy Ship in interrupting the flow of narcotics highlights the importance accorded by Pakistan Navy in patrolling the waters of North Indian Ocean to ensure free flow of legitimate commerce and deny use of High Seas to terrorists and all associated miscreants.

Pakistan Navy Ship Aslat Seizes Huge Cache Of Drugs

Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- The 50th flotilla of the Iranian Navy set off for high seas to safeguard maritime routes used by Iranian vessels in international waters, specially in the Gulf of Aden.

Iranian Navy Sends 50th Fleet of Warships to Int'l Waters

The organization also lifted a high seas warning issued for the eastern region as of noon.

Jeju Int'l Airport returns to normal

THREATS on the high seas are evolving and these are continuously being reviewed by forces patrolling international waters, said UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) Commander and CMF Deputy Commander Commodore Steve Dainton.

Maritime patrols reviewing 'evolving' threats