Congressional Digest

Excerpt

For centuries, “freedom of the seas” prevailed in the maritime environment and limited rights and jurisdiction to a band of water extending three miles from a nation’s coast. That concept was known as the “cannon shot rule,” based on the reach of a cannon from the shore. All waters beyond that point were considered international territory ― free to all nations but belonging to none.

By the mid-twentieth century, some nations wanted to extend their boundaries to include mineral resources, protect fish stocks, and enforce pollution controls. In 1945, U.S. President Harry Truman claimed all the natura…