Legal Definitions - altum mare

altum mare is a historical legal term from Law Latin that refers to the high seas or deep seas. It describes the vast expanse of ocean waters that lie beyond the territorial jurisdiction and exclusive economic zones of any single country. These areas are considered international waters, open for use by all nations, and are primarily governed by international law rather than the domestic laws of any particular state.

• Example 1: International Shipping Lanes
  A large container ship, registered in Liberia, is transporting goods from Singapore to Rotterdam. While crossing the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, thousands of miles from any national coastline, the ship experiences a mechanical failure. Any legal disputes concerning the cargo, the crew, or the vessel's operations in this specific location would fall under international maritime law, as this part of the ocean is considered altum mare, outside the exclusive control of any single nation.

  This example illustrates altum mare as the international domain where national laws do not exclusively apply, and activities like global shipping are governed by a framework of international agreements and conventions.

• Example 2: Deep-Sea Scientific Research
  A consortium of international scientists embarks on an expedition to study unique hydrothermal vents located deep in the Pacific Ocean, far beyond the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones of any coastal state. The samples collected and the data gathered from this remote location are considered to be from the altum mare, meaning their ownership, sharing, and any potential commercial applications would be subject to international agreements on marine scientific research and the law of the sea, rather than the exclusive claim of one nation.

  This demonstrates altum mare as a shared global commons where scientific exploration and the potential discovery of resources are regulated by international cooperation, not national sovereignty.

• Example 3: Combating Piracy
  A luxury yacht is attacked by armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden, hundreds of miles off the coast of Somalia. Because the incident occurs in the altum mare, naval forces from any nation, operating under international law, have the authority to intervene, apprehend the pirates, and bring them to justice. Piracy on the high seas is considered a crime of universal jurisdiction, meaning any state can take action against it, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrators or victims.

  This highlights that in the altum mare, certain severe crimes like piracy are subject to universal jurisdiction, allowing any state to enforce laws against them to maintain order and safety in international waters.