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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Mar. Sci.
Sec. Marine Affairs and Policy
Volume 11 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1448292

Assessing the Impact of Sea Level Rise on Maritime Entitlement and Delimitation: An interdisciplinary Investigation through Legal and Technical Analysis

Provisionally accepted
Tsung Han Tai Tsung Han Tai 1WENXIAN QIU WENXIAN QIU 2*
  • 1 Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
  • 2 Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This paper delves into the complexities of maritime delimitation in the context of sea level rise (SLR) and ice-covered regions, examining various factors and legal implications. Initially, it provides a comprehensive overview of common issues surrounding baseline determination, particularly in relation to SLR and the challenges posed by off-shore features. Legal dynamics concerning 'submarine ridges' versus 'oceanic ridges' are explored, highlighting the complexities inherent in maritime boundary delineation. Through technical analysis, the adjustments required in approaches to Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf boundaries amidst SLR, presenting different models adopted by adjacent and opposite states. Additionally, it investigates the dynamics of basepoint selection in ice-covered regions, emphasizing essential criteria for navigation and offering case studies from the Antarctic and Arctic. Through this exploration, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and considerations involved in maritime delimitation amidst SLR, offering valuable insights from both technical and legal perspectives.

    Keywords: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC), sea level rise, Foot of the Slope, Low Tide Elevation, maritime delimitation

    Received: 14 Jun 2024; Accepted: 19 Sep 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Tai and QIU. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: WENXIAN QIU, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.