Merialueet

Merialueet is the Finnish term for sea areas that are under a state’s jurisdiction or influence for purposes such as sovereignty, resource use, navigation, and environmental protection. In practice the concept covers internal waters, territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and, beyond national limits, international waters. The exact extents and regulations are governed by national law in alignment with international norms, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). For Finland, the territorial sea generally extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline, and Finland may also claim an exclusive economic zone up to 200 nautical miles, where it has rights to resources and associated activities while ensuring freedom of navigation for others.

Management and use of merialueet encompass maritime safety, navigation, fisheries, energy and mineral resources, scientific research, and environmental protection. National authorities coordinate with international bodies, and regional cooperation frameworks influence policy. In the Baltic Sea region, frameworks such as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) and European Union regulations help govern pollution control, biodiversity protection, and sustainable use of marine resources.

Examples of merialueet around Finland include areas in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, as well as other coastal and near-coastal zones. The concept highlights the need to balance national interests with international obligations and regional cooperation to ensure safe navigation, healthy marine ecosystems, and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.