Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act, 1977 (Act No. 16).

The text of this Act consists of 29 sections divided into 3 Parts: The territorial sea of the Cook Islands (I); The Exclusive Economic Zone of the Cook Islands (II); Miscellaneous provisions (III). The territorial sea of the Cook Islands extends to a line which is distant 12 nautical miles from the baseline. Methods of establishing the baseline are outlined in section 5. Matters relating to the territorial sea prescribed in section 7 may be regulated by the High Commissioner. The EEZ extends to 200 nautical miles from the baseline and beyond the territorial sea if not limited by the EEZ of an adjacent State (sect. 8). The Minister shall from time to time determine, in respect of every fishery within the EEZ the total allowable catch (sect. 10) and apportion a total allowable catch for foreign fishing (sect. 11). Section 13 provides for the grant of fishing licences to foreign vessels. Sections 14 to 18 regulate other matters respecting such licences. The remaining sections of Part II provide for enforcement measures such as seizure and security for release of foreign vessels.