Vanuatu
National Legislation
Vanuatu’s Maritime Zones Act 1981 defines a 12 nautical mile territorial sea, 24 nautical mile contiguous zone, and a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The Act defines the archipelagic baselines and the normal baseline (defined as the low-water line) along the coast of Matthew Island and Hunter Island. Currently reviewing its legislation.Territorial Sea Baselines
As stated in the Act, the baseline of Vanuatu refers to “the low water datum line shoMaritime Boundaries of
Vanuatu
Legend
Exclusive Economic Zone
Datasets
Treaty Line
Datasets
Extended Continental Shelf
Datasets
High Seas Limit
Datasets
Datasets
1. Pathway to maritime zones
Completed
1. Low water line mapped
Completed
2. Baseline developed
Completed
3. Archipelagic status assessed
Completed
4. Maritime Limits Calculated
Completed
5. Shared boundaries identified
6. Shared Boundary? Refer to Treaty Pathway
Completed
7. Harmonize legislation
Completed
8. Declare baselines and limits
In progress
9. Baselines and limits Deposited
Not started
10. Publication
2. Pathway to Maritime Boundaries Treaty
2.1 Treaty in force
N/A
2.2 Treaty signed but not yet in force
Completed
1. Negotiation of shared boundary
Completed
2. Charts & Schedule of coordinates prepared
Completed
3. Draft treaty approved for signature
Completed
4. Maritime boundary treaty signed
Completed
5. Boundary agreement implemented
Completed
6. Entry into force
Completed
7. Treaty document deposited with UNT section
Completed
8. Treaty charts and schedule of coordinates deposited with UN DOALS
Completed
9. Publication
2.3 Treaty not signed
3. Extended Continental Shelf Pathway
North Fiji Basin
Completed
1. Preliminary Submission Lodged
Not started
2. Submission presented to CLCS
Not started
4. Recommendation by sub-commission
Not started
5. Recommendation lodged with UNDOALOS