Delimitation in the Caribbean - CARICOM States: Prospects, Problems, Prognosis

• Author: Dr. Barton Scotland
• Pages: 228-242

228Interview, Border and Maritime Issues in CARICOM

Delimitation In The Carribbean -

Caricom States Prospects, Problems,

Prognosis

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8Dr. Barton Scotland

Introduction

This paper attempts to examine the question of delimitation as it relates

to the Member States of CARICOM. The paper does not examine certain

“technical aspects” of delimitation - for example equitable principles, the

primacy or otherwise of equidistance, delimitation and apportionment, natural

prolongation of land territory, to cite a few “technical” issues. Similarly the

paper does not examine the effects of recently decided International Law

Cases on Delimitation.1

The paper attempts to look at those “intimate” issues which CARICOM

States must address before undertaking negotiations on delimitation. In

looking at these issues, some suggestions which could form the basis for a

discussion are offered.

Setting the Scene - the Prospects

Few CARICOM States are situated at distances from one another which

would permit the maximum extension of national maritime zones as envisaged

under international law, without reference to another CARICOM State. Some,

like Barbados and Guyana, for example, may be at the outer extremities of

the maximum expanse of maritime zone, while the proximity of say, Trinidad

and Tobago to Grenada, offers a limited expanse of ocean space for division

by the two States into National Jurisdictions.

The delimitation of the Territorial Sea for the majority of CARICOM

States seems, generally speaking, easily accommodated in the supervening