The EEZ is the area that extends from the seaward boundaries of the coastal states (3 nautical miles (n. Mi. ) in most cases, the exceptions are Texas, Puerto Rico and the Gulf coast of Florida at 9 n. Mi. ) to 200 n. Mi. off the U. S. coast. Within this area the United States claims and exercises sovereign rights and exclusive fishery management authority over all fish and all continental shelf fishery resources.