In maritime law, what do the "high seas" refer to?

The term "high seas" refers to areas of the ocean that are not subject to the jurisdiction of any particular country. This concept is a key principle in maritime law, emphasizing that the high seas are open to all nations and cannot be claimed exclusively by any one state. Activities such as navigation, fishing, and overflight are allowable on the high seas, promoting freedom and cooperation among nations. The legal framework governing these areas is primarily established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which outlines rights and responsibilities of states in their use of the world's oceans.

In contrast, the other options describe different aspects of maritime zones or activities. Individual countries have sovereignty over their territorial waters, which is not the case for the high seas. Air traffic operates above the ocean but does so in airspace that may be regulated or owned by nations, separate from the definition of high seas. Lastly, reserved waters for naval exercises typically refer to specific areas designated under a country's jurisdiction rather than the high seas, which are known for their lack of ownership.