What is it about?

The determination of maritime zones involves the drawing of imaginary lines called baselines. These lines are usually drawn along the coast of a land area that belongs to a State. However, drawing these lines in Antarctica is very difficult due to the continent's unique geographical and political features. This makes it hard for States to decide on the limits of their maritime zones. This article discusses the ongoing legal debate about how to define maritime zones in Antarctica. It also looks at recent discussions regarding the issue of maritime zones and climate change.

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Why is it important?

The determination of maritime zones is very important for coastal States because it establishes the extent in which they can exercise certain rights in the adjacent ocean, related but not limited to fishing and shipping. The debate on how to determine these zones in Antarctica is especially important now that climate change is causing the ice-covered coastlines to change.

Perspectives

I believe that this article represents an interesting opportunity to reflect on the application of traditional rules of international law in an atypical context. I really enjoyed writing it, and I think that the whole process opened my mind to the challenges that a phenomenon like climate change poses to our understanding of the institutions that shape our understanding of the world.

Marcelo Molina Villalobos
Universidad de Chile

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Antarctic Maritime Zones in the Era of Climate Change: ILC, ILA and the Long Road Ahead, The Yearbook of Polar Law Online, February 2023, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/22116427_014010010.
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