It wasn't until maybe the 1700s or so when it was 'decided' that such a thing as 'territorial waters' extended to 3nm off of a coast. Odd since they had ships even back around 0 BC. This was raised to 12 nm. Then comes nations extending their claims out to 200 nm. The Government of Ecuador would seize even US ships for fishing (commercially no doubt) within that 'zone'. It seems that the UNCLOS like other contracts are only binding upon the parties--the parties are deferring the right to this or that and acquiescing their right to the freedom of the high seas by signing UNCLOS.