The definition and treatment of islands in maritime boundary delimitation are complex and important. This is because the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which came into effect in 1994, provides that islands, along with mainland coasts, may generate a full suite of maritime zones – including a 200 nm exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf claim as well as a 12 nm territorial sea. Thus, if no maritime neighbours were within 400 nm of the feature, an island has the potential to generate 125,664 sq. nm [431,014 km2] of territorial sea, EEZ and continental shelf rights. There is also the consideration that oceans remain an important source of living resources, with fisheries representing a major industry for many coastal states.
View More difference between islands and rocks in law of the seaTag: rocks
International Law in the South China Sea
International Law in the South China Sea, artificial islands, Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, contiguous zone, continental shelf, Convention on the Continental Shelf, Convention on the High Seas, Convention on the Territorial Sea, EEZ, exclusive economic zone, internal waters, ISLANDS, low-tide elevations, maritime zones, rocks, south china sea, South China Sea dispute, UNCLOS I, UNCLOS II, UNCLOS III
View More International Law in the South China SeaThe meaning and rule of ISLANDS baseline and its difference with rocks and reefs on the law of the sea and LOSC
The definition of an island is provided in Article 121(1) of the LOSC:
An island is a naturally-formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide. This provision, which follows Article 10(1) of the TSC, contains four criteria that call for comment.. the meaning and role of ISLANDS baseline situation and its difference with rocks and reefs on the on the law of the sea and LOSC, Article 121 of the LOSC, Article 121(2) of the LOSC, baseline, continental shelf, Definition of an Island, EEZ, Greenland/Jan Mayen case, Hvalrossbukta, ISLANDS, Jan Mayen, Judges Bedjaoui, low water line, Nicaragua/Colombia case, Okinotorishima, Qatar/Bahrain case, Qit’at Jaradah, reefs, rocks, South China Sea Arbitration, UNCLOS I, UNCLOS III, Walrus Bay