What is the primary purpose of the Contiguous Zone?

The primary purpose of the Contiguous Zone is to prevent infringement of customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary regulations. This maritime zone extends from the outer edge of a nation's territorial sea and allows that nation to enforce its laws and regulations to protect its interests, especially regarding the collection of revenue and the enforcement of regulations that support national security and public health.

In this zone, a country can take necessary measures against foreign vessels, such as ensuring compliance with customs and immigration laws, which helps maintain order and security within its borders. The facts that this zone is specifically designed to uphold regulatory practices underline its importance.

Other options presented may deal with legitimate maritime concerns but do not capture the essence of the Contiguous Zone's role as defined under international law. For instance, while enhancing maritime security against piracy is crucial, it is not the sole function of the Contiguous Zone. Similarly, enforcing fishing regulations pertains to managing resources within the exclusive economic zone rather than the broader legal framework of the Contiguous Zone. Controlling foreign vessel traffic falls within the scope of the territorial sea rather than the Contiguous Zone itself, which is focused more on regulatory compliance.