How are maritime boundaries established?

Maritime boundaries are established through a combination of international law, bilateral negotiations, and agreements between coastal states. The process involves determining the extent of a state's territorial sea, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the primary legal framework that governs maritime boundaries. UNCLOS provides guidelines for determining the rights and responsibilities of coastal states in relation to their maritime zones.

The establishment of maritime boundaries typically involves the following steps:

1. Baseline Determination: Coastal states must establish a baseline from which their maritime zones are measured. The baseline is usually the low-water line along the coast, but it can also include straight baselines in certain circumstances.

2. Territorial Sea: The territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline. Coastal states have full sovereignty over this area, including the right to control navigation, fishing, and resource exploitation.

3. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Beyond the territorial sea, coastal states can claim an EEZ that extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. Within the EEZ, the coastal state has special rights and jurisdiction over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, both living and non-living.

4. Continental Shelf: Coastal states can also claim an extended continental shelf beyond their EEZ, based on geological and geomorphological criteria. The continental shelf can extend up to 350 nautical miles or beyond, depending on specific circumstances.

5. Negotiations and Agreements: In cases where adjacent states have overlapping maritime claims, negotiations are conducted to reach agreements on the delimitation of boundaries. These negotiations can be bilateral or involve multiple states, and they aim to ensure equitable and peaceful resolution of disputes.

6. International Arbitration or Court Proceedings: If negotiations fail to resolve disputes, states may resort to international arbitration or submit their cases to international courts, such as the International Court of Justice or the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. These bodies provide impartial rulings based on international law.

It is important to note that the establishment of maritime boundaries is a complex and often lengthy process, as it involves various legal, political, and geographical considerations. The goal is to ensure the fair and peaceful division of maritime areas between neighboring states, promoting stability and cooperation in the use and management of shared resources.