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Pacific Maritime Boundaries Dashboard

Welcome to the Pacific Maritime Boundaries Dashboard 

This dashboard is the regional platform for sharing progress and relevant information on Pacific island maritime boundaries and zones. The information displayed has been prepared and deposited with the United Nations by Pacific Island Countries and Territories with support from the Pacific Maritime Boundaries Consortium of Partners and through the Pacific Maritime Boundaries Program.  

What are maritime boundaries? 

Maritime zones and boundaries offer economic, social, cultural, and sustainable development opportunities to coastal states around the world. From territorial waters (12NM), to exclusive economic zones (200NM), to extended continental shelf areas, these zones determine what it is within the sovereign rights and responsibilities of a country under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

Clearly defined maritime zones underpin the governance, peace and security, marine conservation, and natural resource management of the Blue Pacific. By defining and declaring their maritime zones, Pacific island countries are contributing toward Strategic Priority 1 of the Pacific Oceanscape Framework as well as achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 14.C- enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing UNCLOS.  

Global EEZ

The 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories manage 20% of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones.  

Treaties Signed

There are 48 shared boundaries in the Pacific 36 of these bilateral boundaries have been placed under treaty since 1973. 

High Seas

5 member States out of the 14 have yet to declare high seas boundaries

Capacity

22nd regional technical and legal working session on maritime boundaries have been held since 2005. The most recent session in November 2023 included 20% of women. 

Legend

Legend

Maritime boundary delimitation treaty in force and desposited with DOALOS
Exclusive Economic Zone limit (200M) - adjacent to the high seas deposited to DOALOS
Maritime boundary delimitation treaty signed but not yet in force
Maritime boundary delimitation treaty not signed
Exclusive Economic Zone limit (200M) - adjacent to the high seas to be deposited to DOALOS
Pacific Island Country and Territories Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Pacific Island Country and Territories Exclusive Continental Shelf (ECS) - Preliminary
Pacific Island Country and Territories Exclusive Continental Shelf (ECS) - Work in progress
Pacific Island Country and Territories Exclusive Continental Shelf (ECS) - Recommended by CLCS

Exclusive Economic Zone

Country
EEZ Area (sq. km)
No. of Treaties
No. of High Seas pockets
EEZ Deposited
Date deposited
Extended Continental Shelf Claims
Name of ECS Area/s
URL Link

Datasets

Treaty Line

Countries
Signed
Year signed
Enter into Force (EIF)
Date of EIF
URL Link

Datasets

Extended Continental Shelf

ECS Area Name
Joint submission
Country(s) submitting claim
Preliminary submission done
Date of Preliminary submission
Full submission complied and lodged
Sub-commission established - Year
Submission defence – Year
Deposited to DOALOS
Recommendation

Datasets

High Seas Limit

Countries
Deposited to DOALOS
Date Deposited
URL Link

Datasets

Download PDF file
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Completed 14 countries
1. Low water line mapped
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Completed 14 countries
2. Baseline developed
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Completed 14 countries
3. Archipelagic status assessed
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Completed 13 countries
4. Maritime Limits Calculated
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Completed 12 countries
In progress 2 countries
5. Shared boundaries identified
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i

Complete steps required by treaty to bring it into force internationally, can include exchange of diplomatic notes

6. Shared Boundary? Refer to Treaty Pathway
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6. Shared boundaries status
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Completed 8 countries
In progress 4 countries
Not started 2 countries
7. Harmonize legislation
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Completed 6 countries
In progress 5 countries
Not started 3 countries
8. Declare baselines and limits
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Completed 5 countries
In progress 3 countries
Not started 6 countries
9. Baselines and limits Deposited
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Completed 5 countries
In progress 1 countries
Not started 8 countries
10. Publication
Download PDF file
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Completed 23 countries
In progress 9 countries
Not started 2 countries
1. Negotiation of shared boundary
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Completed 23 countries
Not started 10 countries
2. Charts & Schedule of coordinates prepared
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Completed 22 countries
In progress 1 countries
Not started 10 countries
3. Draft treaty approved for signature
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Completed 22 countries
Not started 11 countries
4. Maritime boundary treaty signed
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Completed 22 countries
Not started 11 countries
5. Boundary agreement implemented
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Complete steps required by treaty to bring it into force internationally, can include exchange of diplomatic notes

Completed 17 countries
In progress 5 countries
Not started 11 countries
6. Entry into force
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Completed 17 countries
In progress 4 countries
Not started 12 countries
7. Treaty document deposited with UNT section
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Completed 17 countries
In progress 2 countries
Not started 14 countries
8. Treaty charts and schedule of coordinates deposited with UN DOALS
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Completed 17 countries
In progress 2 countries
Not started 14 countries
9. Publication
Download PDF file
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Completed 16 countries
In progress 1 countries
1. Preliminary Submission Lodged
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Completed 4 countries
Not started 12 countries
2. Submission presented to CLCS
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Completed 3 countries
In progress 1 countries
Not started 11 countries
3. Sub-commission elected
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Completed 3 countries
Not started 13 countries
4. Recommendation by sub-commission
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Completed 2 countries
In progress 1 countries
Not started 12 countries
5. Recommendation lodged with UNDOALOS
Completed
In progress
Not started
NA

Pacific Island Countries