ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

International waters

International waters are like a giant swimming pool that belongs to everyone in the world. Just like you need to ask for permission from your mom or dad to have a pool party in your backyard, every country has to follow certain rules when they enter the international waters.

International waters are the areas of the ocean that are not under the control of any one country. This means that no one country can claim them as their own. These areas are governed by laws and regulations that are agreed upon by all countries that use them.

Imagine that you have a toy that you let your friend borrow. While your friend has the toy, they have to follow certain rules, like not breaking it or losing it. Similarly, countries that use international waters are responsible for following the rules set by the international community. They have to make sure that they don't damage the environment, hurt other people, or steal from other countries.

One of the most important things to remember about international waters is that everyone has an equal right to them. This means that no country can claim more of the ocean than any other country. They can't say, "This part of the ocean belongs to us and no one else can use it." Everyone has to share. Just like when you split a pizza between all of your friends, everyone gets an equal portion.

In a nutshell, international waters are like a big playground that everyone gets to play in. But just like any playground, you have to follow the rules to make sure that everyone stays safe and has a good time.