Hoher See, literally translated as "high sea" in German, generally refers to the high seas or international waters. These are the areas of the ocean that are not under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of any single state.
The term is used in legal, maritime, and geographical contexts. It signifies the portions of the sea beyond a nation's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the high seas are open to all states, whether coastal or landlocked. This freedom includes navigation, overflight, fishing, scientific research, and the laying of submarine cables and pipelines.
However, the freedom of the high seas is not absolute. UNCLOS also establishes obligations for states in the high seas, including the obligation to cooperate in the repression of piracy, drug trafficking, and unauthorized broadcasting; to protect and preserve the marine environment; and to manage fish stocks. These obligations are intended to ensure the sustainable use of the high seas for the benefit of all.
The precise delineation of the Hoher See depends on the outer limits of national jurisdiction, particularly the EEZ, which can extend up to 200 nautical miles from a nation's baseline. Areas beyond this limit fall under the definition of Hoher See or high seas. The legal regime governing the Hoher See is a complex and evolving area of international law.