The U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coastline.

The United States has the only right to investigate, exploit, and preserve marine resources within the 200-nautical-mile radius that makes up the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Fishing, oil and gas exploitation, and seabed mining rights are all included in this area. The EEZ offers substantial economic and environmental control over the country's ocean resources outside of the 12 nautical miles that comprise the territorial sea. These areas are defined and protected by international agreements like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which also helps to resolve possible international conflicts and ensure sustainable management of marine resources.