What is Maritime Boundary Delimitation?
Maritime Boundary Delimitation is the process of establishing the legal boundaries between states in maritime areas, including the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf. It involves negotiations, agreements, and sometimes adjudication by international courts or tribunals.
Historical Background
The need for maritime boundary delimitation arose with the increasing exploitation of marine resources and the extension of coastal states' jurisdiction over maritime zones. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 provides the legal framework for delimitation.