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maritime boundaries EXPLAINED
1. What is a maritime boundary?
A maritime boundary is a division of the ocean between two or more states. It determines sovereign rights, fishing zones, navigation control, and the use of marine resources. For example, the India–Sri Lanka maritime boundary helps decide who has fishing rights in the Palk Strait.
2. How are maritime boundaries made?
Maritime boundaries are usually drawn using a baseline along the coast. From this line:
• Territorial Sea – extends up to 12 nautical miles, where the country has full sovereignty.
• Contiguous Zone – extends up to 24 nautical miles, allowing law enforcement on customs, taxes, and security.
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – extends up to 200 nautical miles, granting rights over resources like fish, oil, and minerals.
For instance, India’s EEZ in the Arabian Sea covers rich oil and gas fields.
3. What happens when maritime boundaries overlap?
When two countries’ EEZs overlap, disputes arise. These are usually settled through diplomatic negotiations or by international courts. For example, Bangladesh and Myanmar resolved their overlapping EEZ dispute in 2012 at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
4. What are some major maritime boundary disputes?
• Sir Creek (India–Pakistan): Dispute over a 96 km tidal estuary in Gujarat’s Kutch region. Its settlement impacts EEZ limits and access to potential oil reserves.
• India–Sri Lanka: Focuses on fishing rights in the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar. Indian fishermen often cross into Sri Lankan waters, leading to tensions.
• South China Sea: China claims most of the sea under its “Nine-Dash Line,” overlapping with claims by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and others. This dispute has major global security implications.
5. Why are maritime boundaries important?
Maritime boundaries are vital to national security, regulation of international shipping, and fair use of marine resources. For example, India’s security concerns in the Indian Ocean require constant patrolling and monitoring of its maritime boundaries.
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