THE TERRITORIAL SEA

Abstract

The recent decision in the Sea Stores case is one of the most important pronouncements of the United States Supreme Court. The case defines the character and extent of control of the Territorial sea. The Supreme Court’s opinion transfers the boundary of the marginal sea out to the realm of debatable things into the realm of the absolute and determines the extent and nature of littoral sovereignty. This paper examines this case in detail and its legal implications for territorial sea disputes.