The LOS Convention contains a key agreement between coastal States and maritime states that coastal States would have control of resources in the 200 NM EEZ in exchange For broad navigational rights beyond the 12 NM territorial sea. This agreement reversed a disturbing trend by coastal States to make 200 NM, or greater, territorial sea claims. As of July 1 994, 19 States still claim territorial seas in excess of 12 NM. The chart shows the impact which excessive maritime claims have on navigational freedom. The white areas would come under coastal state territorial control if territorial seas were extended to 200 NM.
