International waters, also known as the high seas, are areas of the ocean that lie outside of any nation's territorial waters. Treaties are in place that provide a comprehensive legal framework for protecting the world's oceans and seas, but, with international waters making up 50% of the surface of the planet and covering two-thirds of the ocean, policing these vast maritime zones is a huge responsibility and often poses complex jurisdictional issues. So, does this mean the high seas are mostly lawless?
Click through the following gallery and find out what rules govern international waters.