THE LEGAL BASIS FOR THE DELINEATION OF BASELINES

This comprehensive legal analysis examines the international legal framework governing the delineation of baselines for measuring maritime zones under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The article explores the historical evolution of baseline concepts from customary international law to the codified provisions of UNCLOS III. The research investigates different types of baselines, including normal baselines, straight baselines, and archipelagic baselines, and analyzes the specific legal criteria for their proper delineation. The study examines state practice in baseline delineation and assesses how different countries have interpreted and applied international legal standards. The article also analyzes contentious issues in baseline delineation, including disputes over bay closing lines, low-tide elevations, and historic waters claims. Furthermore, the research evaluates the implications of baseline delineation for maritime boundary delimitation and resource jurisdiction in contested maritime areas.

The delineation of baselines represents a fundamental aspect of maritime jurisdiction under international law, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework governing baseline determination in the mid-1980s. The research begins by examining the historical development of baseline concepts in international law, tracing the evolution from the cannon shot rule to contemporary legal standards codified in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The analysis explores the different categories of baselines recognized in international law, including normal baselines following the low-water line along the coast, straight baselines connecting appropriate points along deeply indented coastlines or fringing islands, and archipelagic baselines connecting the outermost points of archipelagic states. The article investigates the specific legal criteria for each type of baseline, analyzing the conditions under which states may depart from the normal baseline rule and the requirements for valid straight baseline systems. The study examines state practice in baseline delineation, assessing how coastal states have implemented international legal standards and identifying patterns of consistent application and controversial claims. The research analyzes contentious issues in baseline jurisprudence, including disputes over the legal status of low-tide elevations, the proper drawing of bay closing lines, and the validity of historic waters claims. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article identifies emerging trends in baseline delineation practice and analyzes their implications for maritime boundary delimitation and ocean governance. The findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between legal doctrine and state practice in maritime jurisdiction and contribute to understanding how international law adapts to geographical diversity and technological change.