Pacific Maritime Boundaries Dashboard

ch the breadth of the territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf is measured. The geographic coordinates set forth in the Territorial Sea Baseline Regulations are normal baseline points located on the low-water line along the coast or on the seaward low-water line of a reef. As also indicated, each baseline point listed is used to measure the outer limit of the territorial sea, and in some cases, the contiguous zone or the EEZ.   

Maritime Zones

The maritime zones recognised under the international law of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and under the Kiribati Marine (Declaration) Act 2011 include Internal Waters, Archipelagic Baseline, the Territorial Sea, the Contiguous Zone, the Economic Exclusive Zone, and the Extended Continental Shelf of the Republic of Kiribati.  

Extended Continental Shelf Claims (under Article 76 of UNCLOS)

The Continental Shelf of Kiribati as stated within Article 76 of the LOS Convention, Section 10 of the Act of 2011 comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.  

Status of Claim

Kiribati satisfies the provision of UNCLOS to claim ECS therefore UNCLOS provides Kiribati with sovereign rights over the seabed beyond its Exclusive Economic Zone. Kiribati ECS claim has been submitted to DOALAS on the 24 December 2012 followed by a presentation to the Commission in August 2013.