Ocean law or the law of the sea refers to a body of public international law, comprising treaties and international customary law, which relates to the governance of the oceans. The main document which lays down the rules governing the oceans is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (LOSC). The LOSC has been described as a constitution for the oceans. It specifies agreed limits relating to territorial seas, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. In addition to ensuring freedom of navigation, it imposes obligations on maritime nations to conserve the use of marine resources and protects the marine environment by requiring maritime nations to prevent marine pollution. It also provides for peaceful settlement of dispute through a compulsory dispute settlement mechanism and has a revenue-sharing arrangement to ensure that resources of the sea are available for all nations. By facilitating peace and security, ensuring freedom of navigation and protecting the marine environment, the LOSC safeguards the interests of maritime nations whilst maintaining the sea as a common heritage of mankind.