Mediterranean Geopolitics and Italy’s EEZ Strategy

Mediterranean geopolitics and Italy EEZ are once again at the center of international attention as military deployments, diplomatic friction and maritime legal disputes converge in one of the world’s most strategic semi-enclosed seas.

In recent days, public attention has grown exponentially over developments in the Mediterranean Sea due to the reinforced presence of United States-flagged naval forces, officially justified by tensions between Washington and Tehran, alongside frequent reports of vessels labeled as part of a so-called “Russian shadow fleet.”

In this evolving scenario, all regional and extra-regional powers with direct or indirect interests in the Mediterranean are showing increased strategic dynamism.

While such developments primarily concern defense analysts, they confirm how delicate the geopolitical balance in the Mediterranean has become. Governments must therefore exercise maximum vigilance not only in security matters but also in protecting scientific, environmental and commercial interests.

This situation reinforces the need for constant defense of sovereign rights and interests in surrounding waters by Mediterranean coastal States, relying above all on comprehensive maritime spatial planning.

The Legal Framework: UNCLOS and the Mediterranean Challenge

The Mediterranean’s semi-enclosed geography, combined with the political instability of several coastal States, complicates the implementation of conventional maritime zoning principles.

A notable example is the establishment of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), maritime areas extending beyond territorial waters up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. Under UNCLOS, EEZs should be the result of negotiated arrangements among neighboring States.

In practice, however, several Mediterranean cases have involved unilateral proclamations or bilateral agreements perceived as constraining the rights and interests of other bordering States, raising concerns about compatibility with the Convention’s spirit.

Italy’s EEZ: Progress and Delays

Italian authorities have been criticized for the delayed initiation of the procedure to establish the national EEZ. The formal notification to the UN Secretariat, a mandatory preliminary step for negotiations with neighboring States, came later than in other Mediterranean countries.

Following Law No. 91/2021 proclaiming the Italian EEZ, Presidential Decree No. 193 of September 2025 identified specific portions of the zone in the Central-Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, the Northern and Central-Southern Adriatic, and the Ionian Sea.

This represented a legally relevant first step, particularly where agreements already existed, such as with Croatia and Greece, or where no competing rights were claimed.

However, unresolved issues remain, especially with North African States that moved earlier and more assertively in defining their maritime claims. This has placed Italy at a relative disadvantage, particularly regarding deep-sea fisheries, despite its central geographical position in the Mediterranean.

Similar tensions persist with Malta and especially France, notably concerning maritime delimitations off Corsica and the controversial Franco-Algerian arrangements affecting waters near Sardinia.

The High Seas Treaty and the Mediterranean Reality

Globally, the Treaty has been welcomed with enthusiasm, particularly within scientific communities, as a milestone for biodiversity protection beyond national jurisdiction.

In Italy, environmental organizations have criticized the government for not yet ratifying the agreement, despite the country’s historical support for the initiative.

However, the Mediterranean context presents unique challenges. Unlike vast oceanic spaces, where large areas fall beyond national jurisdiction, the Mediterranean’s geography drastically limits the existence of genuine “high seas.” Under UNCLOS, the high seas do not include EEZs, which can extend up to 200 nautical miles.

Given the sea’s narrow configuration, fully unclaimed maritime spaces are practically non-existent.

France and Spain have ratified the Treaty, yet both countries possess extensive Atlantic coastlines, which provide a different strategic rationale compared to Italy’s predominantly Mediterranean projection.

Italian ratification would likely represent a political and moral commitment to global ocean protection rather than a measure with immediate practical effects in Mediterranean waters. Nonetheless, such decisions inevitably reflect the shifting orientations of successive governments.

Fisheries Under Pressure

Within this already complex geopolitical and legal landscape, European fisheries face additional strain. The European Union continues to impose significant operational restrictions aimed at sustainability, often translating into heavier burdens for fishing communities.

Sicilian operators, particularly those engaged in deep-sea fishing, appear among the most affected due to their fleet structure and operational range.

Diplomatic negotiations over maritime spaces are therefore not abstract legal exercises. They directly influence access to fishing grounds, economic sustainability and the preservation of long-standing maritime traditions.

Conclusion

The Mediterranean is currently the stage for intricate diplomatic negotiations seeking shared and sustainable governance of maritime spaces. Yet these efforts are accompanied by strategic rivalries, legal uncertainties and operational challenges.

In this scenario, maintaining strong advocacy from the fishing sector is essential to ensure that national foreign policy safeguards not only geopolitical interests but also the future of Mediterranean fisheries.

For Sicily’s deep-sea fishing tradition, the stakes are not merely diplomatic — they concern the tangible guarantee of economic continuity and cultural identity within a rapidly evolving maritime order.