Baseline

Definition

In the context of territorial waters, a baseline is the line from which the breadth of a state's territorial sea is measured. It is crucial for defining a country's maritime boundaries and determining jurisdiction over adjacent waters. The baseline can be straight or follow the low-water line along the coast, and it plays a significant role in establishing rights to resources, navigation, and maritime activities within the territorial sea.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The baseline is typically drawn along the low-water mark on the coast, but in certain cases, straight baselines can be used to connect points along the coast for measurement purposes.
2. The choice of baseline can significantly affect the area of territorial sea a country claims, impacting its rights over resources and navigation.
3. Under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), countries must notify other states if they change their baselines.
4. Baselines can vary for countries with complex coastlines, leading to disputes over maritime boundaries and control of adjacent waters.
5. The determination of baselines can be influenced by historical claims, geographical features, and political considerations.

Review Questions

• How does the definition of a baseline impact a country's claim over its territorial sea?
  • The definition of a baseline is crucial because it directly affects how a country measures its territorial sea. By establishing where the baseline lies—either along the low-water line or through straight baselines—states can determine the extent of their territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles from that line. This measurement influences their sovereignty over marine resources, navigation rights, and jurisdictional control over activities within those waters.
• What role do straight baselines play in states with complex coastlines when determining territorial waters?
  • Straight baselines allow states with irregular coastlines to simplify the measurement of their territorial waters by connecting points on the coast without following every indentation or protrusion. This can effectively increase the area of territorial sea claimed by a state and streamline jurisdictional control. However, using straight baselines must comply with international law standards set by UNCLOS, which helps prevent abuse of this method to encroach on another state's maritime space.
• Evaluate how changes in a nation's baseline might lead to international disputes regarding territorial waters.
  • Changes in a nation's baseline can significantly alter its claimed territorial waters, potentially infringing on neighboring states' maritime zones. Such alterations might arise from legal adjustments or shifts in coastal geography. If one state unilaterally modifies its baseline without consensus from other affected states, it may provoke diplomatic tensions or legal challenges. This situation exemplifies how vital baselines are in maintaining peaceful maritime relations and ensuring equitable access to resources in shared waters.

Related terms

Territorial Sea: A maritime zone extending up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline, where a state has sovereignty and control over the waters, air space, and seabed.

Contiguous Zone: A maritime zone extending 24 nautical miles from the baseline, where a state can exercise limited control to prevent infringements of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): A maritime area extending 200 nautical miles from the baseline, where a state has special rights regarding exploration and use of marine resources, including fishing and mineral extraction.