Gulf of Maine Case

ICJ was called upon to determine single maritime boundary for continental shelves and EEZ.in Gulf of
maine between US and Canada.

Court emphasized that relevant criteria had to be essentially determined in relation to what may be
properly called geographical features of the area.While delimiting the maritime boundaries in
absence of an agreement between the parties the delimitation is to be affected by aapplication of
equitable criteria which should take into account geographical configuration of the area, lenth of
coastlines,size of zone and other relevant circumstances ensure equitable results.

Qatar V Bahrain

In this case ICJ emphasized close relationship between Continental Shelf and EEZ delimitations and
held that appropriate method was to first to provisionally draw an equidistance line and then to
consider whether circumstance existed which must lead to adjustment of that line.

It was noted that equidistance/special circumstance rule applicable to territorial sea delimitation
and equidistance .special circumstance rule as developed since 1958 in case law and practice
regarding delimitation of Continental Shelf and EEZ were closely related.

Thus the court opined that concept of a single maritime boundary does not stem from multilateral
treaty law but from state practice and finds its explanation in wished of State to establish one
uninterrupted boundary line delimiting various partially coincidental zones.

This judicia practice has established that equidistance is not an applicable rule rule in all cases of
delimitation between adjacent states .the natural prolonagation criterion has similarly given way to
distance criterion.

The emphasis on equitable solution in the 1982 convention is without any accompanying procedure
to be followed to achieve it.