Dear int-bounders,
We have written some software for the automated delimitation of maritime
boundaries and for defining the legal limit of the extended continental
shelf as per the relevant provisions of UNCLOS. Now we are starting to
consider the issue of the geodetic accuracy of the defined
boundaries. Conceptually it is possible to compute the accuracy of a
boundary based on the accuracy of the data (e.g. the normal baseline) and
the mathematical strategy that has been used to define the
boundary. However, a more fundamental question arises - will anybody ever
want or need to know the accuracy of a maritime boundary? This may be a
naive question, but I am approaching this from a geodetic rather than a
legal perspective.
For example if a fishing vessel was found operating just inside a
restricted fishing area, the owners of the vessel could perhaps defend
their actions by demonstrating that the boundary which they have crossed
has been determined with a low degree of accuracy (+/- 1 km for
example). Thus they could perhaps avoid prosecution. Is this a realistic
scenario?
The alternative view is to regard a boundary as having no uncertainty
associated with it. This is generally the approach used to define land
boundaries and is perhaps the simplest and tidiest strategy from a legal
perspective. However, in geodetic terms, such an approach is quite
unrealistic. Often large uncertainties accompany the delimitation of
boundaries at sea, not because of inadequacies in the delimitation strategy
but because of fundamental inaccuracies in the basic data.
I would be grateful for any feedback from list members on the issue of the
accuracy of maritime boundaries and whether this is a useful and valid area
of future research. Any real-life examples would be particularly
helpful. Thank you in anticipation.
Kind regards,
Phil Collier.
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