Maritime boundary
A maritime boundary is a conceptual division of Earth's water surface areas using physiographical or geopolitical criteria. This line usually bounds areas of exclusive national rights over mineral and biological resources. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea recognizes these borders for many nations. However, maritime borders often serve to identify the edge of international waters rather than just internal control. Some countries use the term to represent the full borders of their maritime nation. These boundaries exist in the context of territorial waters, contiguous zones, and exclusive economic zones. The terminology does not encompass lake or river boundaries which are considered land boundaries instead.
The limits of maritime boundaries are expressed in polylines and polygon layers of sovereignty and control. A baseline of a country can be the low water line or a straight baseline enclosing bays and estuaries. The zone extending 12 nautical miles from the baseline constitutes the territorial sea. An area extending 24 nautical miles from the baseline forms the contiguous zone. The exclusive economic zone extends 200 nautical miles from the baseline except when space between two countries is less than 400 nm. In cases of overlapping zones, the boundary is presumed to conform to the equidistance principle. Contemporary negotiations have produced tripoint and quadripoint determinations such as those found in the 1982 Australia, France Marine Delimitation Agreement.
The concept of maritime boundaries is a relatively new concept compared to ancient land border practices. The historical record serves as a backdrop for evaluating modern border issues. Attention accorded this subject has evolved beyond formerly-conventional norms like the three-mile limit. The study of treaties on maritime boundaries acts as evidence of existing customary law. This development affects all nations through the creation of emerging customs. Research and analysis based on acquisition and occupation govern the evaluation of historic rights. Multilateral treaties and documents describing baselines are now available on the website of the United Nations.
Multilateral treaties establish ocean boundaries between specific territories like Australia and New Caledonia in the Coral Sea. The Australia, France Marine Delimitation Agreement consists of 21 straight-line maritime segments defined by 22 individual coordinate points. These points form a modified equidistant line between the two territories. The northernmost point in this boundary is a tripoint with the Solomon Islands. The boundary runs in a roughly north-south direction before turning west-east until it almost reaches the 170th meridian east. Such agreements assume sovereignty over islands like Matthew and Hunter Islands which are also claimed by Vanuatu.
A western line of military control between North and South Korea was unilaterally established by the United Nations Command in 1953. This Northern Limit Line reflects the geographic features of the coastal baseline. In contrast, the Military Demarcation Line declared by North Korea in 1999 is essentially a straight line. Violent clashes in these disputed waters include what are known as the first Yeonpyeong incident and the second Yeonpyeong incident. The Bombardment of Yeonpyeong represents another violent confrontation within these overlapping jurisdictional claims. A few small islands close to the North Korean coastline have remained under the jurisdiction of the United Nations since 1953.
The delineation or delimitation of maritime boundaries has strategic economic and environmental implications for all nations involved. Controversies about territorial waters tend to encompass two dimensions regarding history and legal interpretation. Relevant jurisdictional rights and interests in maritime boundaries are mainly due to differing interpretations of the law of the sea. An ongoing example involves the Kuwait-Iraq maritime dispute over the Khawr Abd Allah waterway. By far the preferred method of handling disputes among states including those related to maritime boundaries is through bilateral negotiations. These negotiations may be regarded as a universally accepted means compared to other resolution methods.
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Common questions
What is a maritime boundary?
A maritime boundary is a conceptual division of Earth's water surface areas using physiographical or geopolitical criteria. This line usually bounds areas of exclusive national rights over mineral and biological resources.
How far does the territorial sea extend from the baseline?
The zone extending 12 nautical miles from the baseline constitutes the territorial sea. An area extending 24 nautical miles from the baseline forms the contiguous zone.
When was the Northern Limit Line established by the United Nations Command?
A western line of military control between North and South Korea was unilaterally established by the United Nations Command in 1953. Violent clashes in these disputed waters include what are known as the first Yeonpyeong incident and the second Yeonpyeong incident.
Which countries signed the Australia France Marine Delimitation Agreement?
Multilateral treaties establish ocean boundaries between specific territories like Australia and New Caledonia in the Coral Sea. The Australia, France Marine Delimitation Agreement consists of 21 straight-line maritime segments defined by 22 individual coordinate points.
What is the maximum distance for an exclusive economic zone?
The exclusive economic zone extends 200 nautical miles from the baseline except when space between two countries is less than 400 nm. In cases of overlapping zones, the boundary is presumed to conform to the equidistance principle.