Law of the Sea

The Law of the Sea (LOS) convention ensures international stability and peaceful use of the world’s seas and oceans governing all activities on, over and under international waters. The treaty clearly defines its members’ rights to offshore fishing, deep sea mining and navigation, while sustaining ocean resources for future generations. The treaty also guarantees safe passage in international waters of military planes and ships for peaceable means and provides clearly defined laws for countries to follow in order to avoid international military incidents.  

To date, 158 countries and the European Community have signed and ratified the Treaty while only 21 nations, including the United States, Libya and North Korea, have signed but not ratified. The United States would be the single largest beneficiary of the Law of the Sea Treaty because it has the longest coastline of any nation in the world. By ratifying, the U.S. can shape international laws to ensure that our own national interests are safeguarded. Right now, the U.S. is leaving all decisions about international waters up to other countries.

Pew is working with a diverse group of stakeholders that includes business interests, energy companies and conservationists along with the highest levels of the U.S. military to ratify the Law of the Sea. The treaty enjoys broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate and is supported by former Presidents like William Jefferson Clinton and George W. Bush. 

It is in the economic, national security and environmental interests for the United States to ratify the Law of the Sea treaty without delay.

For more information, visit ratifylawofthesea.org.