Havområdet

Havområdet is a term used in Norwegian and Swedish (and other Nordic languages) to denote the sea area under a state’s jurisdiction. It refers to the maritime domain that includes territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, and the continental shelf, as defined by international law and national statutes. The exact scope varies by country, but it generally covers the waters and seabed under legal control.

The principal framework is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Baselines from which sea areas are measured determine territorial seas up to 12 nautical miles, where a state has sovereignty over waters, air, and seabed. Beyond lies the exclusive economic zone (up to 200 nautical miles), where a state has sovereign rights to resources and jurisdiction for economic activities; freedom of navigation and overflight are reserved for other states. The continental shelf may extend beyond the EEZ, granting rights to the seabed and subsoil. Beyond 200 nautical miles are the high seas, with universal freedoms.

Within havområdet, states regulate fishing, resource extraction, environmental protection, navigation safety, and maritime security. National authorities—such as coast guards and fisheries agencies—enforce laws, issue licenses, and oversee marine spatial planning.

Definitions and boundaries are commonly clarified through bilateral or multilateral agreements. National usage of havområdet may emphasize policy, management, or statutory boundaries, and evolving maritime technology and climate change continue to shape its governance.