INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
TERRITORIAL AND MARITIME DISPUTE
(NICARAGUA v. COLOMBIA)
REPLY OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA
VOLUME II
18 SEPTEMBER 2009
I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DIPLOMATIC NOTES ........................................................................................... 1
ANNEX 1 ............................................................................................................... 3
Note N E.D. 3/20 from the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda to the
United Nations Secretary-General, 19 June 1997 ............................................. 3
ANNEX 2 ............................................................................................................... 5
Note from the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations
to the United Nations Secretary-General, 16 July 1997 .................................... 5
ANNEX 3 ............................................................................................................... 7
Note from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Information of Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations Secretary-General, 7
August 1997 ....................................................................................................... 7
ANNEX 4 ............................................................................................................... 9
Diplomatic Note N. MRE/DM/152/02/08, from the Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Nicaragua to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, 12
February 2008 ................................................................................................... 9
ANNEX 5 ............................................................................................................. 11
Letter (A/62/697) from the President of Nicaragua to the United Nations
Secretary-General, 14 February 2008 ............................................................ 11
ANNEX 6 ............................................................................................................. 15
Letter (A/62/733) from the Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs replying
the note sent to the United Nations Secretary General by the President of
Nicaragua, 25 February 2008 ......................................................................... 15
ANNEX 7 ............................................................................................................. 19
Diplomatic Note N. MRE/DM-DGAJST/ghw/476/05/08, from the Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia,
20 May 2008 .................................................................................................... 19
ANNEX 8 ............................................................................................................. 21
Diplomatic Note N. MRE/DSF/CAM N. 33703, from the Colombian Vice-
Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Nicaraguan Minister for Foreign Affairs of,
9 July 2008 ...................................................................................................... 21
II
ANNEX 9 ............................................................................................................. 23
Diplomatic Note N. DSF.CCF.66624, from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of to the Nicaraguan Embassy to Bogotá, Colombia. 14 January 2009
......................................................................................................................... 23
ANNEX 10 ........................................................................................................... 25
Diplomatic Note from the Nicaraguan Embassy to Bogotá, Colombia to the
Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 12 February 2009 ............................ 25
PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ ....................................................................................... 27
ANNEX 11 ........................................................................................................... 29
Press Communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, 28
January 2008 ................................................................................................... 29
SURVEYS AND REPORTS .................................................................................. 31
ANNEX 12 ........................................................................................................... 33
Bahamas, Yucatán E.C.: Honduras gulf; Mosquito Coast, islands & banks
adjacent; Jamaica; St. Domingo; Currents Positions by Capt. Richard Owen
R.N. H.M. Ships Blossom & Thunder 1830-7 .................................................. 33
ANNEX 13 ........................................................................................................... 37
West India Pilot, Vol. I. Compiled by Captain E. Barnett, R. N. London, 1861
......................................................................................................................... 37
ANNEX 14 ........................................................................................................... 41
Report by an Official of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding
the cays of Roncador, Quitasueño and Serrana in the Archipelago of San
Andrés, 31 August 1937 .................................................................................. 41
ANNEX 15 ........................................................................................................... 45
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee. 4 July 2005 (Doc. NAV/51/19) ..... 45
TECHNICAL DATA .............................................................................................. 47
ANNEX 16 ........................................................................................................... 49
Coordinates defining the outer limits of Nicaragua’s continental shelf .......... 49
ANNEX 17 ........................................................................................................... 51
Coordinates defining the outer limits of Colombia’s continental shelf ........... 51
ANNEX 18 ........................................................................................................... 53
Technical information related to Nicaragua’s continental shelf ..................... 53
III
LIST OF FIGURES
(PART II)
FIGURE TITLE PAGE
FIGURE 1 Regional bathymetry of the South West
Caribbean
1
FIGURE 1-1 O’Neille’s description of the Islands 2
FIGURE 1-2 Islands and cays off the mainland coast of
Nicaragua
3
FIGURE 3-1 The delimitation area according to Nicaragua 4
FIGURE 3-2 Regional geomorphology of the South West
Caribbean
5
FIGURE 3-3 Regional geomorphology of the South West
Caribbean – perspective view
6
FIGURE 3-4 Bathymetric profile across the Nicaraguan Rise
and Colombian basin
7
FIGURE 3-5 Geological structure of the Caribbean
8
FIGURE 3-6 Example of one of the Nicaraguan foot of slope
picks (FOS 3)
9
FIGURE 3-7 Construction details of the outer limit of the
Nicaraguan continental shelf
10
FIGURE 3-8 Example foot of slope and sediment thickness
calculations for the Colombian continental
margin
11
FIGURE 3-9 Outer limit of Colombian continental shelf
12
FIGURE 3-10 Area of overlapping continental margins
13
FIGURE 3-11 Delimitation of the continental shelf
14
FIGURE 4-1 The insignificance of the “San Andrés 15
IV
Archipelago”
FIGURE 4-2 Absence of a low-water line on Quitasueño
according to Colombian official charts
16
FIGURE 4-3 Low-water line and 12-nautical-mile territorial
sea on Serranilla according to Colombian
official chart
17
FIGURE 4-4 Low-water line and 12-nautical-mile territorial
sea on Bajo Nuevo according to Colombian
official chart
18
FIGURE 4-5 Nicaragua’s potential exclusive economic zone
entitlement
19
FIGURE 5-1 12-nautical-mile enclaves for Colombian
Islands
20
FIGURE 5-2 12 and 3-nautical-mile enclaves for Colombian
Islands
21
FIGURE 5-3 The Channel Islands case: Consequences of
full-effect for the Channel Islands
22
FIGURE 6-1 The insignificance of the “San Andrés
Archipelago”
23
FIGURE 6-2 Anglo French Arbitration: The Channel Islands
do not block the projection of the French
mainland coasts
24
FIGURE 6-3 Canada-France (St Pierre and Miquelon)
Maritime boundary established by the Award
25
FIGURE 6-4 St Pierre and Miquelon: their presence does not
block the seaward extension of the maritime
projection of Canada’s coasts
26
FIGURE 6-5 Nicaragua’s potential exclusive economic zone
entitlement
27
FIGURE 6-6 Colombia’s potential exclusive economic zone 28
V
entitlement
FIGURE 6-7 Area of overlapping potential exclusive
economic zone entitlements
29
FIGURE 6-8 The area of overlapping entitlements v.
Colombia’s claimed relevant area
30
FIGURE 6-9 Delimitation of the exclusive economic zone:
12-nautical-mile enclaves
31
FIGURE 6-10 Delimitation of the exclusive economic zone:
12 and 3-nautical-mile enclaves
32
FIGURE 6-11 Potential result of applying the St Pierre and
Miquelon methodology to the Colombian
islands
33
FIGURE 6-12 The Dubai-Sharjah Award
34
FIGURE 6-13 The India-Maldives Agreement
35
FIGURE 6-14 The Australia-France (New Caledonia)
Agreement
36
FIGURE 6-15 The India-Thailand Agreement 37
PART I
ANNEXES TO THE REPLY OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA
DIPLOMATIC NOTES
3
ANNEX 1
Note N E.D. 3/20 from the Prime Minister of Antigua and
Barbuda to the United Nations Secretary-General, 19 June 1997
(http://www.un.org/Depts/los/doalos_publications/los_bult.htm
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea Office of Legal
Affairs. Bulletin N. 35, United Nations, New York, 1997, p. 97)
B Protests from the States
1. Antigua and Barbuda
Letter dated 19 June 1997 from the Government of Antigua and
Barbuda with regard to maritime treaties and a protest with regards to
the status granted to “Isla Aves”
I present my compliments and refer to the Maritime Treaties signed by
the Republic of Venezuela and the United States of America which
entered into force on 24 November 1980; Republic of Venezuela and
the Kingdom of the Netherlands which entered into force on 15
December 1978; Republic of Venezuela and the French Republic
which entered into force on 28 January 1983.
I have the honour to inform that the Government of Antigua and
Barbuda whishes to recall that, as recognized in customary
international law and as reflected in the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea, rocks which cannot sustain human
habitation or an economic life of their own shall have no exclusive
economic zone or continental shelf.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda wishes to recall further that,
as recognized in customary international law and as reflected in the
1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the artificial
installation and structure erected adjacent to “Isla Aves” shall not
possess the status of an island and shall have no territorial sea of its
own and its presence does not affect the delimitation of the territorial
sea, the exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf.
The Maritime Boundary Treaties referred to above appear to grant
“Isla Aves” full status of territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and
4
continental shelf. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has not
acquiesced in the maritime boundary treaties.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda protests the status granted to
“Isla Aves” in the above-mentioned maritime boundary treaties and
kindly requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations in his
capacity as the depositary of the 1982 United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea to communicate this note to the parties to the said
Convention3.
3 Transmitted to the States parties to the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea in note verbale LOS/SP/1, dated 12 August 1997.
5
ANNEX 2
Note from the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the
United Nations to the United Nations Secretary-General, 16 July
1997
(http://www.un.org/Depts/los/doalos_publications/los_bult.htm
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea Office of Legal
Affairs. Bulletin N. 35, United Nations, New York, 1997, pp. 98-99)
3. St. Kitts and Nevis
Note dated 16 July 1997 addressed to the Secretary-General of the
United Nations referring to the bilateral maritime boundary
delimitation treaties6
Note to the Secretary-General of the United Nations from the
Government of St Kitts and Nevis referring to bi-lateral maritime
boundary delimitations treaties made between:
1. Republic of Venezuela and the United States of America;
entered into force 24 November 1980;
2. Republic of Venezuela and the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
entered into force 15 December 1978;
3. Republic of Venezuela and the French Republic; entered into
force 28 January 1983;
with regard to the status of the Venezuelan territory known as
“Isla Aves”
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis wishes to recall that, as
recognized in customary international law and as reflected in the
1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, rocks
which cannot sustain human habitation or an economic life of their
own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf.
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis wishes further to recall
that, as recognized in customary international law and as reflected
in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the
6 Communicated by the Permanent Mission of St Kiss and Nevis to the
United Nations in a note verbale dated 16 July 1997.
6
artificial installation and structure erected adjacent to “Isla Aves”
shall not possess the status of an island and shall have no territorial
sea of its own and its presence does not affect the delimitation of
the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone or the continental
shelf.
The maritime boundary treaties referred to above appear to
grant “Isla Aves” full status of territorial sea, exclusive economic
zone and continental shelf. The Government of St. Kitts and
Nevis has not acquiesced in the maritime boundary treaties
referred to above.
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis protests the status
granted to “Isla Aves” in the above-mentioned maritime boundary
treaties and kindly request the Secretary-General of the United
Nations in his capacity as the depository of the 1982 United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to communicate this
note to the parties to the said Convention.7
7 Transmitted to the States parties to the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea in note verbale LOS/SP/2, dated 13 August 1997.
7
ANNEX 3
Note from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and
Information of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United
Nations Secretary-General, 7 August 1997
(http://www.un.org/Depts/los/doalos_publications/los_bult.htm
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea Office of Legal
Affairs. Bulletin N. 35, United Nations, New York, 1997, p. 100)
5. Saint Vincent and Grenadines
Note dated 8 August 1997 addressed to the Secretary-General of
the United Nations referring to the bilateral maritime boundary
delimitation treaties9
Note to the Secretary-General of the United Nations from the
Government of Saint Vincent and Grenadines referring to bilateral
maritime boundary delimitations treaties made between:
1. Republic of Venezuela and the United States of America;
entered into force 24 November 1980;
2. Republic of Venezuela and the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
entered into force 15 December 1978;
3. Republic of Venezuela and the French Republic; entered into
force 28 January 1983;
with regard to the status of the Venezuelan territory known as
“Isla Aves”
The Government of Saint Vincent and Grenadines wishes to
recall that, as recognized in customary international law and as
reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea, rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or an economic
life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or
continental shelf.
The Government of Saint Vincent and Grenadines wishes further
to recall that, as recognized in customary international law and as
9 Communicated by the Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and Grenadines
to the United Nations in a note verbale dated 8 August 1997.
8
reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea, the artificial installation and structure erected adjacent to “Isla
Aves” shall not possess the status of an island and shall have no
territorial sea of its own and its presence does not affect the
delimitation of the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone or
the continental shelf.
The maritime boundary treaties referred to above appear to
grant “Isla Aves” full status of territorial sea, exclusive economic
zone and continental shelf. The Government of Saint Vincent and
Grenadines has not acquiesced in the maritime boundary treaties
referred to above.
The Government of Saint Vincent and Grenadines protests the
status granted to “Isla Aves” in the above-mentioned maritime
boundary treaties and kindly request the Secretary-General of the
United Nations in his capacity as the depository of the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to communicate
this note to the parties to the said Convention.10
10 Transmitted to the States parties to the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea in note verbale LOS/SP/3, dated 9 September 1997.
9
ANNEX 4
Diplomatic Note N. MRE/DM/152/02/08, from the Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
of Colombia, 12 February 2008
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS
Managua, 12 February 2008
MRE/DM/152/02/08
Mr. Minister:
It is an honour to address you in reference to Nicaragua’s sovereignty
in the Caribbean Sea.
In this respect, I hereby inform you that on February 10 last, while
fishermen and divers of the Nicaraguan-flagged lobster fishing boat
‘Lady Dee III’ were fishing within Nicaraguan waters, they were
subjected to intimidation by a frigate of the Colombian Navy at
coordinates 14º 36’ 00” N latitude and 082º 02’ 00” W longitude.
Such an act, at the above-mentioned position, can only be considered
a violation of Nicaraguan sovereignty.
In this sense, on behalf of the Government of National Reconciliation
and Unity, I hereby present a formal protest requesting that the
necessary measures be taken to ensure that incidents of this nature are
not repeated and that we abide by the sentence issued by the
International Court of Justice at The Hague on 13 December 2007,
striving to preserve peace and security in the region.
I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate the assurances of my
highest consideration and esteem.
[Signed]
10
Samuel Santos López
H. E. Fernando Araujo Perdomo
Minister of Foreign Relations of Colombia
His Office
Copies:
Mr. Secretary-General of the UN
Mme. President of the ICJ
Mr. Secretary-General of the OAS
[Seal:] MINISTRY OF FOREIGN
RELATIONS
Managua
REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA
CENTRAL AMERICA
11
ANNEX 5
Letter (A/62/697) from the President of Nicaragua to the United
Nations Secretary-General, 14 February 2008
12
13
15
ANNEX 6
Letter (A/62/733) from the Colombian Minister for Foreign
Affairs replying the note sent to the United Nations Secretary
General by the President of Nicaragua, 25 February 2008
16
17
19
ANNEX 7
Diplomatic Note N. MRE/DM-DGAJST/ghw/476/05/08, from the
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Colombia, 20 May 2008
Managua, 20 May 2008
MRE/DM-DGA/ST/ghw/476/05/08
Excellency:
I have the honor to address Your Excellency on the occasion of
making reference to the sovereign rights of Nicaragua in the
Caribbean Sea.
In this respect, I wish to inform you that the Naval Forces of the
Nicaraguan Army informed this Ministry that on May 6 last the
Nicaraguan flag “VIKING” fishing vessel was boarded and searched
by a rapid boat of the Navy of Colombia while it was located at
latitude 13° 45´00”N and longitude 081°57´00”W.
Excellency, I wish to express that such act is not only a provocation
and threat to peace and security in the region, but also constitutes an
offense to the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Nicaragua,
so I make a formal protest in the name of the Government of National
Reconciliation and Unity before the illustrious Government of
Colombia.
Further, I request Your Excellency give instructions as may be
opportune to prevent acts of this nature from happening again and to
respect the Sentence issued by the International Court of Justice at
The Hague on 13 December 2007.
I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to you the assurances of
my highest consideration and esteem.
Illegible Signature
Samuel Santos López
[Seal:] MINISTRY OF FOREIGN
RELATIONS
Managua
REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA
CENTRAL AMERICA
20
Excellency
Mr. Fernando Araujo
Minister of Foreign Relations of the
Republic of Colombia
Bogota.
21
ANNEX 8
Diplomatic Note N. MRE/DSF/CAM N. 33703, from the
Colombian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Nicaraguan
Minister for Foreign Affairs of, 9 July 2008
REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS
MRE/DSF/CAM No. 33703
Bogota, D.C., July 9, 2008
Mr. Minister:
I write to you in reference to your Note MRE/DMDGAJST/
ghw/476/05/08, dated 20 May of this year, which alludes to
the situation on 6 May involving the Nicaraguan-flagged fishing
vessel “VIKING.”
In this regard, I hereby inform you that the above-mentioned
vessel was surprised by a patrol of the National Armada of Colombia
at coordinates 13º 45’ 00’N latitude and 81º 57’ 00’W longitude,
within the maritime jurisdiction of my country, without the
corresponding permission granted by Colombian authorities.
Even though the infraction should be rigorously sanctioned by
Colombian authorities, the National Navy unit limited itself to invite
the noted vessel to leave the waters of Colombian jurisdiction, after
drawing up a document that recorded the events.
To His Excellency
SAMUEL SANTOS LÓPEZ
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Nicaragua
Managua
22
REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
In the above-mentioned document, Mr. Oscar Bello McCrea,
Captain of the fishing vessel “VIKING”, and his crew, admitted that
they had been found in waters of Colombian jurisdiction and
acknowledged the respect and good treatment that they were afforded.
The vessel was ultimately escorted to the border of the 82nd meridian,
established by common agreement between our states.
Sincerely,
[Signed]
CAMILO REYES RODRIGUEZ
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
In charge of the functions of the Office of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs
23
ANNEX 9
Diplomatic Note N. DSF.CCF.66624, from the Colombian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of to the Nicaraguan Embassy to
Bogotá, Colombia. 14 January 2009
REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS
DSF CCF 66624
The Ministry of Foreign Relations attentively greets the
Honorable Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua on the occasion of
making reference to the events that occurred on November 2 last when
the Nicaraguan-flagged ship “Malayka” was surprised carrying out
unauthorized fishing activities within Colombian maritime jurisdiction
at coordinates 14º 28’ 23” N latitude and 81º 52’ 17” W longitude.
In a gesture of good will, the Colombian authorities limited
themselves to inspect the ship and, subsequently, invited and
accompanied the ship out of the area.
In order to avoid undesirable incidents and the resulting
sanctions in accordance with the Colombian legal system, the Ministry
of Foreign Relations, through this Honorable Embassy, requests that
the Illustrious Government of the Republic of Nicaragua give the
necessary instructions so that Nicaraguan-flagged ships that lack the
respective authorization from the Colombian government abstain from
carrying out fishing activities in waters under Colombian jurisdiction.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity
to reiterate to the Honorable Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua
the assurances of its highest and most distinguished esteem.
Bogotá; 14 January 2009
To the Honorable
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA
City
25
ANNEX 10
Diplomatic Note from the Nicaraguan Embassy to Bogotá,
Colombia to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 12
February 2009
EMBASSY OF NICARAGUA
SANTA FE DE BOGOTÁ, D.C.- COLOMBIA
Managua; 12 February 2009
The Embassy of Nicaragua attentively greets the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia on the occasion of
referring to this Ministry’s Note Number DSF.CCF.66624, dated 13
January 2009, regarding the fishing activities carried out by the
Nicaraguan-flagged vessel Malayka at coordinates 14º 28’ 23” N
latitude and 81º 52’ 17” W longitude.
In this regard, the Embassy reminds the Illustrious
Government of Colombia that the International Court of Justice, in its
judgment of 13 December 2007, clearly established that it has
jurisdiction to determine the delimitation of the waters located at the
position described above, which, as is generally and specifically
known to the Colombian government, belong to the Republic of
Nicaragua in accordance with history, geography and international
law. By virtue of that stated above, Nicaragua enjoys exclusive rights
over all natural resources found there and is the only state authorized
to carry out acts of jurisdiction in said zone.
In this sense, the Embassy, on behalf of the Nicaraguan
government, hereby presents to the Illustrious Government of
Colombia a formal protest regarding the actions carried out illegally
by the Colombian Naval Forces against the Nicaraguan-flagged vessel
Malayka on November 3 last, requesting that the necessary measures
be taken to prevent the repeated occurrence of events of this nature.
The Embassy of Nicaragua avails itself of this opportunity to
reiterate to the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Colombia the
assurances of its highest consideration and esteem.
Bogota, 12 February 2009
26
To the Honorable
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS
Office of the Minister
City
PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ
29
ANNEX 11
Press Communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Colombia, 28 January 2008
Regarding the declarations made recently by Nicaraguan President
Daniel Ortega with respect to Colombia’s attitude toward the
judgment of the International Court of Justice in the case filed by
Nicaragua before said Court, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs
as follows:
1. Colombia has continued to peacefully exercise sovereignty and
jurisdiction over the maritime areas corresponding to the archipelago
of San Andrés, up to the 82nd meridian only, according to the same
terms as expressed under point eight of the communiqué issued on 13
December 2007, in declarations regarding the judgment of the
International Court of Justice.
2. Colombia has acted and will continue to act as it always has during
her entire life as a republic, in strict accordance with the principles
and norms of International Law, with faithful respect for international
treaties, including the Esguerra-Bárcenas Treaty of 1928 and the Act
of Exchange of Ratification Instruments of 1930, and in compliance
with international awards and judgments, which are the cornerstones
of peace and coexistence between nations. Colombia has never been
and never will be an aggressor country.
Bogotá, January 28, 2008
SURVEYS AND REPORTS
33
ANNEX 12
Bahamas, Yucatán E.C.: Honduras gulf; Mosquito Coast, islands &
banks adjacent; Jamaica; St. Domingo; Currents Positions by Capt.
Richard Owen R.N. H.M. Ships Blossom & Thunder 1830-7
p. 163
The coral stones are thrown up by the sea into a large heap along the
north side. The Cay is frequented by quantities of aquatic birds
particularly the man of war bird and the Booby. Water is to be
procured near the centre of the Cay by digging, but it is very brackish.
The Turtlers use it only for culinary purposes.
There is not any perceptible tide on the surface although it rises about
18 inches. The time of high water is very irregular much influenced by
the prevailing winds.
The general set of the current is to the N.W.
The sand bores near the South end of the bank have been called the
Musquitero, but as that has induced many persons to suppose that
there were two distinct banks, we have omitted the name altogether.
The Quita Sueño (shake off sleep) is an extensive and very dangerous
bank of an oblong form, 34 miles in length from North to South, about
9 miles wide near the North end, and 13 miles wide at the South end.
It lies nearly North of Old Providence the distance between the two
banks is about 29 miles.
About a mile within the eastern edge there is a very long and
dangerous reef running North and South for 23 miles, it is dry in many
places, and has only one narrow opening in it (which is near the
middle) than would admit even the smallest boat.
The bank reaches about 5 miles beyond the extreme of the reef to the
North and South. The space to the westward of the reef for a distance
of about 2 ½ miles, is full of shoal rocky patches, and abreast of the
centre of the reef there is a spit of dangerous rocky ground reaching
nearly six miles to the westward of the breakers. Within this space it is
not safe even for a boat, as the rocks are not easily to be distinguished,
the wash from the reef discolouring the water. All the reef of the bank
34
is free from danger, the general depths being from 10 to 17 f´ms, with
a bottom of clean coral sand.
p. 164
There is good anchorage all over the western side of the bank during
the regular easterly breezes, rendered perfectly smooth by the
extensive reef to the Eastward.
The small vessels that frequent this bank during the Turtling season
keep close in under the reef, and pick their way through amongst the
rocky heads from one end of the reef to the other. There is not any part
of the reef sufficiently above water to land upon. Several large trunks
of trees have been drifted on the reef at different parts, and the NW
spit of the reef (which is in some degree sheltered by the reef to the
Eastward) appeared to be accumulating different substances so as to
render it probable that a Cay will be formed there at no very remote
period.
During our stay at this bank in April 1835 we experienced a current to
the NW about ¾ of a mile per hour. It was said by the neighbouring
fishermen to have been unusually strong.
The Serrana Bank situated about 43 miles to the Eastward of the Quita
Sueño, was surveyed by Lieut. Barnett in the “Jackdaw” Schooner
who has given the following detailed account of it. It will not be the
less interesting from having been made the scene of a very ingenious
fiction (Sir Edward Seaward’s narrative by Miss Jane Porter) that
created a good deal of interest at the time of its publication.
“The Serrana is an extensive and extremely dangerous nest of shoals
and coral reefs even with the surface of the water, having on various
parts of it six small cays. Its general direction is N.E. and S.W. on
which line it extends to a distance of 17 miles, it varies in breadth
considerably, but at about its centre it is 8 miles across. In making it
from the N.E. East and South, it presents and appearance of one
unbroken reef continually breaking…
35
List of Latitudes and Longitudes
Countr
y
Place Spot of
Observation
North
Latitude
Mode
of
Observation
West
Longitude
Mode
of
Observation
From
whence
measured
Da
y/s
[..]
Eastly
Varn.
Musquito
Coast
Cape
Gracias
a Dios
*
Entrance
of
Harbour
14°56′0″ Stars 83°15′0″ E.A Belize
San Juan
16
5
6.5
2
Musquito
Cays
South
end
14°21′12″ Stars 82°46′6″ S.A Old
Providence
2
Pearl
Cays
Columbilla
Cay
12°22′35″ Stars 83°23′20″ Lieut
Edwd
Barnett
Pearl
Cay
Lagoon
Barpoint
South
side of
entrance
12°19′44″ Stars 83°37′10″ In
“Lark”
7.1
5
Bluefields West p’t
of Bluff
11°59′15″ Stars 83°41′15″ S.A San Juan 6
San Juan
de
Nicaragua
*
Point
Arenas
10°56′45″ Stars 83°42′0″ E.A St.
Andrews
Cape
Gracias
7
5
7.2
6
Island
and
Banks
of the
Musquito
Coast
Cazones
or
Hobbies
Great
Hobby
16°3′30″ 83°8′30″ Grand
Caimans
Cape
Gracias
Lieut.
Barnett
in
Half “Jackdaw”
Moon
Cay
Centre 15°8′50″ 82°42′18″ Cape
Gracias
Cay
Gorda
Centre 15°52′0″ 82°23′35″
Great
Corn
Isld *
Wells in
S.W.
Bay
12°9′17″ Stars 83°3′45″ S.A. San Juan
Cape
Gracias
3
7
8.0
Little
Corn
Isld
Gun
Point
12°17′30″ Stars 82°58′45″ S.A. Cape
Gracias
6
St.
Andrews Isld Cove in
S.W. bay
12°31′40″ Stars 81°43′50″ E.A. Old
Providen
ce
2 7.0
Albuquerque
Cays South
Cay
12°10′0″ Stars 81°50′18″ E.A. St.
Andrews
2 7.0
Courtown
Cays Cocoa
Nut Cay
12°24′0″ Stars 81°28′45″ E.A. St.
Andrews
1 7.0
Old
Providence
*
Isabel
(village)
Catalina
bay
13°22′54″ Stars 81°22′15″ E.A. Port
Royal
4
6.4
5
3
36
Quita
Sueño
Bank
North
ea. reef
14°30′0″ S.H. 81°7′30″ S.H. Old
Providence
4
_ . _ South
ea. reef
14°8′0″ S.H. 81°8′30″ S.H. Old
Providence
4
Roncador South
end of
Cay
13°34′30″ Stars 80°5′30″ E.A. Serranilla
Old
Providence
3
3
6.3
0
Serrena S. E.
Cay
14°21′36″ _”_ 80°12′38″ _”_ Port
Royal
Lieut.
Barnett
Serranilla
*
Beacon
Cay
15°47′45″ Stars 79°51′3″ E.A. Port
Royal
Old
Providence
7
6
5.5
2
Trinidad
Island *
Fort Port
D’Espag
ne
10°38′40″ Stars 61°31′45″ E.A. Port
Royal
11 3.0
Guiana Demenara
(d)
*
Fort
George
Town
6°49′30″ Stars 58°11′30″ E.A. Trinidad 5 5.0
Barbadoes Engineers’
Wharf
_”_ _”_ 59°37′38″ S.A. Trinidad 3 In
“Serpent
by Mr.
Newman
Bermuda
*
Dockyard
Super
House
32°20′0″ Stars 64°51′24″ E.A. Nassau 11
15
_”_
Admiralty
House
Observati
on Stone
32°18′12″ Stars
United
States
New
York*
Upper
Lazaratto
Staten
Island
40°38′30″ Stars 74°5′10″ E.A. Halifax 7 West
8.30
_”_
_”_
City Hall 74°1′10″ True bearing from Staten
Island
Nova
Scotia
Halifax
*
George’s
Island
South
side
44°38′12″ Stars 63°34′15″ E.A. Portmou
th
19
_”_ Dockyard
North
part
44 °39′12″ Stars 63°35′40″ E.A. George’s
Isld
2
37
ANNEX 13
West India Pilot, Vol. I. Compiled by Captain E. Barnett, R. N. London, 1861
THE
WEST INDIA PILOT.
___________
VOL. I.
FROM CAPE NORTH OF THE AMAZONS
TO
CAPE SABLE IN FLORIDA,
WITH
THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
________________
COMPILED BY
CAPTAIN E. BARNETT, R.N.
______________
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE
ADMIRALTY.
________________
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE, ADMIRALTY,
AND SOLD BY
J.D. POTTER, Agent for Admiralty Charts,
31 POULTRY, AND 11 KING STREET, TOWER HILL.
1861.
_____
Price 5s.
38
294 OUTLYING ISLANDS ON THE COAST OF MOSQUITO.
[CHAP. X.
TIDES and CURRENT.–The tides are irregular, but there is
generally a rise of 6 or 8 inches, and after northern it is said to amount
to 2 feet. There is no perceptible tidal stream. The current in the
neighbourhood usually runs to the N.W., but it is greatly influenced by
the prevailing winds.
QUITA SUEÑO BANK (shake off sleep) well deserves the
name from its extreme danger. It lies North 29 miles from Low cay, at
the north end of Old Providence reef, 26 miles from the nearest part of
the Mosquito bank, and 41 miles from the S.W. cay of the Serranas.
It is of oblong form, 34 miles long north and south, about 8
miles broad near the north end, and 13 near the south end, and is so
steep that the first casts of the lead may be from 14 to 19 fathoms.
About a mile within the eastern edge a coral reef, dry in many places,
runs along the face of that side, curving outwards a little near the
middle, for a distance of 23 miles, leaving a portion of the bank at
both ends about 5 miles in extent, with depths from 10 to 17 fathoms,
on coral sand. The only break in the reef lies near the middle, where,
by chance, a boat might get through in safety.
Several large trunks of trees have been drifted on it in several
parts, and a spit at the north-west end, lying somewhat sheltered by
the reef, seems to be accumulating different substances, so as to
render it probable that a cay will be formed there at no very remote
period. This spot lies in lat. 14º 29' N., long. 81º 8' W.
The space to the westward of the reef, for a distance of 2 ½
miles, is full of dangerous rocky patches, and abreast the middle part a
spit of shallow rocky ground extends off nearly 6 miles, to within 3
miles of the western edge of soundings. Within this part it is not safe
even for a boat, for the heavy surf so disturbs the sand at the bottom
that the shoals are not easily seen.
The bank to the westward of the shoals is quite clean, with
depths from 10 to 17 fathoms, over clear coral sand, which affords
good anchorage, the sea being broken by the reef.
CURRENT.–In the month of April the current was observed
to run to the N.W. at the rate of three-quarters of a mile an hour, but
39
the fishermen remarked that it was unusually strong for that period.
SERRANA BANK.–The outline of this most dangerous bank is very
irregular. Its general direction, however, is N.E. and S.W., upon which
line it extends about 17 miles. Near the centre it is about 8 miles
broad, and its south-west end terminates at almost a point.6
6 From the survey of Captain E. Barnett, R.N., 1834. See Admiralty Plan,
Serrana Bank. No. 1,478; scale, in = one inch.
41
ANNEX 14
Report by an Official of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
regarding the cays of Roncador, Quitasueño and Serrana in the
Archipelago of San Andrés, 31 August 1937
Quitasueño Lighthouse
The concrete base is the only
part of the bank that emerges
above water
Translation of text at pp. 7-9 of the Report in
Spanish deposited with the Registry of the Court
42
THE CAYS
I will now describe the three cays, which I was ordered to visit
by your Office. This description and the sketches I have attached to
this report have the following bases: one and the others are taken, in
its general lines, from the large sandbanks of the Admiralty Charts and
from data provided by the “West Indies Pilot”, corrected with the
reports that were provided to me by some islanders who know them
very well and upon personal verification of the undersigned on site.
What I say about the cays properly said (the portions of firm land that
rise from the surface of the ocean), is the exclusive result of my
personal observation.
Situation. The trip by air did not allow me to carry
engineering equipment, with which it would have been possible to
determine the exact position of the cays, even though this is not
necessary for the purpose proposed by the Government; however,
since we are making a loxodromic navigation (in a straight line), I
took the care to calculate the courses provided by the Admiralty
Charts and wrote down the distances through the speed log, which
gave me a very proximate confirmation of the position of said cays.
QUITASUEÑO. The Quitasueño Cay does not exist. It is just a
sandbank that is very dangerous to navigate. It is 34 miles long and 8
miles wide close to the northernmost tip, and 13 miles to the
southernmost tip, bordered to the east by coral reefs against which the
ocean waves break. Its coordinates in the southern extreme are: 14º-
29′ latitude north and 81º - 08′ longitude west of Greenwich.
These coral reefs are much more dangerous because they are
very steep on the east side and extend 23 miles from a portion of the
bank, leaving an approximate longitude of 5 miles with variables
depths of 10 to 20 fathoms over coral sand bars. The only rupture in
the reef is close to the center, where occasionally a ship could safely
penetrate.
The remaining space to the west of the main reef, at a distance
of two and a half miles, is full of rocky patches that are very
dangerous and, in front of the central part, a cavity of land, also rocky
and twisted, extends about 6 miles outbound. This quagmire is not
safe, not even for small vessels, because the strong tide disturbs the
sand in the bottom in such way that the sandbanks cannot be easily
seen.
43
In 1906, the “Aureola” steamer crashed over that sandbank
approximately 14 miles from the southernmost tip of the reef and, four
years later, in1910, the “Rose Lea” steamer collided against a coral
head.
However, in the western part, the bank has depths of 10 to15
fathoms over hard coral sand, which provides good anchorage because
the ocean waves break against the reef. The marine current there has
an unusual force.
In the northern extreme of the reef of this extensive sandbank,
over the rock, is an artificially reinforced concrete foundation, which
is the only thing that emerges from the waters in the entire Quitasueño
bank.
The American light is erected over this foundation, formed by a red
pyramidal tower with a frame of iron screw piles, which skeleton was
formed with crosses from San Andres and brace rods that tie them
together to form the skeleton that supports the light (see photograph).
The light, at an altitude of about 45 feet (13.7 meters), is fed with gas,
a reserve of which is stored in the base, and emits an intermittent
flashing light.
In the lower part of the light is a metal plaque with the
following legend:
“U.S. LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE
All persons are warned not to [sic] this structure or interfere with it in
any way. Violators assume all risk and will be prosecuted. By order of
Commissioner of Lighthouses!
This light and those located at the Serrana and Roncador cays
are provisioned by the United States Navy every six months, for
which purpose it uses 500-ton tugboats.
There is no guano or eggs in Quitasueño because there is no
firm land: I only saw about ten albatrosses flying around the light and
over the barbed-wire railings that protect the light. There were three
dead birds that, according to the islanders that formed part of the crew,
“had committed suicide”.
44
Apart from those few birds, no more signs of life are seen in
those surroundings and at the foot of the base of the light I could
observe the remnants of a ship, such as masts and irons.
In my opinion, if the desire is that Quitasueño should not pose
a danger for sailors, it is necessary to install another light with a
rotating beacon at the south end of the bank. Since the maximum
visibility of the beacon is 12 miles, it only covers half of the
sandbanks and reefs and thus does not render any service to the ships
navigating from south to north. (See attached sketch). A red light or
bicolor light, in order to distinguish it from the one existing at the
northern end, would prevent the aforesaid dangers.
I am ignorant of the origin of the name of that bank, but it is
appropriate because it is a permanent source of sleeplessness for all
sailors who navigate those dangerous seas.
45
ANNEX 15
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee. 4 July 2005 (Doc.
NAV/51/19)
46
TECHNICAL DATA
49
ANNEX 16
Coordinates defining the outer limits of Nicaragua’s continental shelf
List of coordinates defining the outer limits of Nicaragua’s continental
shelf in the southwestern part of the Caribbean Sea
Fixed
Point Latitude Longitude Method
Based on
FOS Distance
1 11.2759 -77.5004 FOS+60M FOS1 na
2 11.2888 -77.4896 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
3 11.3019 -77.4790 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
4 11.3152 -77.4687 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
5 11.3286 -77.4585 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
6 11.3422 -77.4486 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
7 11.3559 -77.4389 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
8 11.3698 -77.4295 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
9 11.3839 -77.4203 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
10 11.3981 -77.4113 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
11 11.4125 -77.4026 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
12 11.4270 -77.3941 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
13 11.4416 -77.3858 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
14 11.4564 -77.3778 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
15 11.4713 -77.3701 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
16 11.4863 -77.3626 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
17 11.5014 -77.3553 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
18 11.5167 -77.3484 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
19 11.5320 -77.3416 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
20 11.5475 -77.3352 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
21 11.5631 -77.3290 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
22 11.5788 -77.3230 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
23 11.5946 -77.3173 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
24 11.6104 -77.3119 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
25 11.6264 -77.3068 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
26 11.6424 -77.3019 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
27 11.6585 -77.2973 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
28 11.6747 -77.2930 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
29 11.6910 -77.2889 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
30 11.7073 -77.2851 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
31 11.7237 -77.2816 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
50
32 11.7401 -77.2784 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
33 11.7566 -77.2755 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
34 11.7731 -77.2728 FOS+60M FOS2 59.95M
35 11.7897 -77.2704 FOS+60M FOS2 1M
36 12.7841 -77.1314 FOS+60M FOS2 1M
37 12.7973 -77.1210 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
38 12.8108 -77.1108 FOS+60M FOS3 59.95M
39 13.6002 -76.4783 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
40 13.6030 -76.4614 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
41 13.6060 -76.4446 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
42 13.6093 -76.4278 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
43 13.6129 -76.4111 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
44 13.6168 -76.3945 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
45 13.6209 -76.3779 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
46 13.6253 -76.3614 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
47 13.6299 -76.3449 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
48 13.6349 -76.3286 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
49 13.6400 -76.3123 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
50 13.6455 -76.2961 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
51 13.6512 -76.2800 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
52 13.6572 -76.2640 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
53 13.6634 -76.2481 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
54 13.6699 -76.2324 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
55 13.6767 -76.2167 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
56 13.6837 -76.2012 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
57 13.6909 -76.1857 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
58 13.6984 -76.1704 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
59 13.7062 -76.1552 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
60 13.7141 -76.1402 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
61 13.8828 -75.8284 FOS+60M FOS4/Cutoff 20.78M
62 14.4030 -74.9532 2500+100M CUTOFF 59.74M
63 14.4066 -74.9364 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
64 14.4103 -74.9197 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
65 14.4142 -74.9030 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
66 14.4183 -74.8863 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
67 14.4225 -74.8697 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
68 14.4269 -74.8531 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
69 14.4314 -74.8366 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
70 14.4337 -74.8285 FOS+60M FOS5/Cutoff 1M
All points referred to WGS84
51
ANNEX 17
Coordinates defining the outer limits of Colombia’s continental
shelf
List of coordinates for the outer limit of Colombia’s continental shelf
determined using the provisions of paragraph 4 of article 76:
Latitude Longitude Basis of calculation
11° 54' 53"N 77° 41' 36"W intersection with
Colombia-Panama
boundary
12° 14' 43"N 77° 36' 52"W 1% sediment
thickness
12° 37' 51"N 77° 27' 05"W 1% sediment
thickness
13° 14' 05"N 77° 06' 15"W 1% sediment
thickness
13° 21' 59"N 76° 52' 26"W 1% sediment
thickness
13° 32' 08"N 76° 34' 19"W 1% sediment
thickness
13° 42' 01"N 76° 05' 19"W 1% sediment
thickness
13° 55' 12"N 75° 13' 57"W 1% sediment
thickness
13° 55' 01"N 74° 47' 23"W 1% sediment
thickness
14° 08' 27"N 73° 56' 22"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 19' 40"N 73° 30' 22"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 20' 04"N 73° 29' 25"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 20' 27"N 73° 28' 28"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 20' 50"N 73° 27' 31"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 21' 11"N 73° 26' 33"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 21' 31"N 73° 25' 34"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 21' 50"N 73° 24' 36"W Foot of slope + 60M
14° 30' 07"N 72° 58' 24"W Foot of slope + 60M
All coordinates are referred to WGS84
53
ANNEX 18
Technical information related to Nicaragua’s continental shelf
Table 1 List of Nicaragua’s Foot of the Slope Points
Table 2 - List of coordinates defining the outer limits of Nicaragua’s
continental
shelf in the southwestern part of the Caribbean Sea
Figure 1 The Caribbean Plate
Figure 2 Regional Geomorphology of the SW Caribbean
Figure 3 Regional Geomorphology of the SW Caribbean (perspective view)
Figure 4 The Outer Limit of the Continental Shelf
Annex 1
A1. Introduction .........................................................................A1
A2. Selection of Foot of the Slope..............................................A2
A3 Foot of the Slope + 60M.......................................................A2
A4 Continental Shelf Limit Lines...............................................A2
A4.1 350M constraint.................................................................A2
A4.2 2500m Isobath...................................................................A2
A5. Final Outer Limit ................................................................A2
Figures
FOS 1
FOS 2
FOS 3
FOS 4
FOS 5
Figure A1. Foot of Slope and FOS +60M
Figure A2. Outer Limit Constraints
Figure A3 Outer Limit of Nicaraguan Continental Shelf
54
Table 1. List of Nicaragua’s Foot of the Slope Points
FOS Pick Latitude (N) Longitude (W) Profile
FOS1 11.92096087 -78.28148232 ETOPO2
FOS2 13.40320077 -77.93829893 GEODAS:V1817
FOS3 14.59189959 -76.64019966 GEODAS:RC1806
FOS4 14.79219908 -76.26540006 GEODAS:V2808
FOS5 15.03499984 -75.65499932 GEODAS:A2060L07
All points referred to WGS84
Table 2. List of coordinates defining the outer limits of
Nicaragua’s continental shelf in the southwestern part of the
Caribbean Sea
Fixed
Point Latitude Longitude Method
Based on
FOS Distance
1 11.2759 -77.5004 FOS+60M FOS1 na
2 11.2888 -77.4896 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
3 11.3019 -77.4790 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
4 11.3152 -77.4687 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
5 11.3286 -77.4585 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
6 11.3422 -77.4486 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
7 11.3559 -77.4389 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
8 11.3698 -77.4295 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
9 11.3839 -77.4203 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
10 11.3981 -77.4113 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
11 11.4125 -77.4026 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
12 11.4270 -77.3941 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
13 11.4416 -77.3858 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
14 11.4564 -77.3778 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
15 11.4713 -77.3701 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
16 11.4863 -77.3626 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
17 11.5014 -77.3553 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
18 11.5167 -77.3484 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
19 11.5320 -77.3416 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
20 11.5475 -77.3352 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
21 11.5631 -77.3290 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
22 11.5788 -77.3230 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
23 11.5946 -77.3173 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
24 11.6104 -77.3119 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
55
25 11.6264 -77.3068 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
26 11.6424 -77.3019 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
27 11.6585 -77.2973 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
28 11.6747 -77.2930 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
29 11.6910 -77.2889 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
30 11.7073 -77.2851 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
31 11.7237 -77.2816 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
32 11.7401 -77.2784 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
33 11.7566 -77.2755 FOS+60M FOS1 1M
34 11.7731 -77.2728 FOS+60M FOS2 59.95M
35 11.7897 -77.2704 FOS+60M FOS2 1M
36 12.7841 -77.1314 FOS+60M FOS2 1M
37 12.7973 -77.1210 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
38 12.8108 -77.1108 FOS+60M FOS3 59.95M
39 13.6002 -76.4783 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
40 13.6030 -76.4614 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
41 13.6060 -76.4446 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
42 13.6093 -76.4278 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
43 13.6129 -76.4111 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
44 13.6168 -76.3945 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
45 13.6209 -76.3779 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
46 13.6253 -76.3614 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
47 13.6299 -76.3449 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
48 13.6349 -76.3286 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
49 13.6400 -76.3123 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
50 13.6455 -76.2961 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
51 13.6512 -76.2800 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
52 13.6572 -76.2640 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
53 13.6634 -76.2481 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
54 13.6699 -76.2324 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
55 13.6767 -76.2167 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
56 13.6837 -76.2012 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
57 13.6909 -76.1857 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
58 13.6984 -76.1704 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
59 13.7062 -76.1552 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
60 13.7141 -76.1402 FOS+60M FOS3 1M
61 13.8828 -75.8284 FOS+60M FOS4/Cutoff 20.78M
62 14.4030 -74.9532 2500+100M CUTOFF 59.74M
63 14.4066 -74.9364 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
64 14.4103 -74.9197 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
65 14.4142 -74.9030 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
56
66 14.4183 -74.8863 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
67 14.4225 -74.8697 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
68 14.4269 -74.8531 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
69 14.4314 -74.8366 2500+100M CUTOFF 1M
70 14.4337 -74.8285 FOS+60M FOS5/Cutoff 1M
All points referred to WGS84
57
58
59
60
61
Annex 1
Preliminary Technical Description of the
Outer Limit of the Nicaraguan Continental Shelf
Introduction
Five FOS points have been picked along the outer edge of the
Nicaraguan continental margin.
Four of these are based on the data derived from the marine trackline
database GEODAS and are in principle suitable for inclusion in a full
submission to the CLCS. There are issues with the data quality in a
few areas, especially navigation, and the final submission to the CLCS
will evaluate the data quality and present new data where necessary.
The picks presented in this submission of preliminary information
should be treated as indicative only.
Surveys used:
FOS Pick
GEODAS
profile Date Comment
FOS1 ETOPO2 NA NA
FOS2 V1817 1962 Poor navigation data
FOS3 RC1806 1975 Transit satellite
FOS4 V2808 1970 Transit satellite
FOS5 A2060L07 1971 Transit satellite
2500m
isobath CH046L01 1965 Limited metadata
Selection of Foot of the Slope
Five foot of slope positions have been identified along the Hess
Escarpment, representing the southern edge of the Nicaraguan Rise.
Three of these (FOS 3-5) are along the Hess Escarpment proper; the
two westerly points are picked around the base of the Mono Rise and
the associated Unnamed Rise.
As recommended in the Guidelines (CLCS/11) a two step approach
was employed to identify foot of slope positions. Firstly a Base of
Continental Slope region was determined, and secondly foot of the
slope positions within this base of slope region were identified.
In the descriptions below, the upper profile is based on the regional
ETOPO2 dataset and shows the bathymetry in context, together with
62
the interpreted base of slope zone; the lower profile is based on the
GEODAS data (except for FOS-1) and shows a more detailed
bathymetric profile with the chosen foot of slope point.
Foot of the Slope + 60 M
Paragraph 4(a) of article 76 describes the two formulæ that can be
used to determine the outer edge of the margin. For the submission of
the present preliminary information only paragraph 4(a)ii is used:
“a line delineated in accordance with paragraph 7 by reference to
fixed points not more than 60 nautical miles from the foot of the
continental slope”.
Geodetic measurements of 60M were made from all of the foot of
slope points.
Figure A1 shows the FOS picks and the calculated FOS+60 nautical
miles (M).
Continental Shelf Limit Lines
Paragraph 5 of article 76 states that:
“The fixed points comprising the line of the outer limits of the
continental shelf on the seabed [. . . ] either shall not exceed 350
nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the
territorial sea is measured or shall not exceed 100 nautical miles from
the 2,500 metre isobath, which is a line connecting the depth of 2,500
metres.”
350M constraint
The 350M constraint has been calculated from the Nicaraguan
territorial sea baseline.
2500m isobath
The 2500m isobath was derived from the ETOPO2 dataset and from
the GEBCO bathymetry data. For the critical area the GEODAS
profile CH046L01 was used to check the regional dataset.
63
The 2500m isobath is continuous around the Nicaraguan Rise with
only small sections where there are detached contours. The isolated
2500m contours were not used in the calculation of the constraint. A
geodetic measurement of 100M was made from the continuous
isobath.
The final constraints are shown on Figure A2.
Final Outer Limit
Article 76, paragraph 7 states:
“The coastal state shall delineate the outer limits of the continental
shelf [ . . . ] by straight lines not exceeding 60 nautical miles in
length, connecting fixed points, defined by coordinates of latitude and
longitude.”
The final outer limit was generated by using points that fall on the
FOS+60M line; these are limited in the northeast by the 2500m+100M
cut-off.
The final outer limit comprises 70 fixed points, not exceeding 60M
apart. Points 1–61 and 70 are based on the FOS+60M line; Points 61–
70 are on the 2500+100M constraint. Points 61 and 70 are on the
intersection of the FOS+60M line and the 2500m+100M constraint.
The final outer limit is depicted on Figure A3.
64
FOS 1
Regional profile – Base of Slope
Data are taken from the global ETOPO2 dataset.
Foot of slope profile
Data are taken from the global ETOPO2 dataset.
Discussion
FOS 1 is situated at the outer edge of the Unnamed Rise. This is an area of thickened
oceanic crust that has accreted to and modified the southern edge of the Nicaraguan Rise,
extending it south of the line of the Hess Escarpment.
This profile is based on the ETOPO2 dataset and will be refined once more detailed
bathymetric data are available.
FOS1
65
FOS 2
Regional profile – Base of Slope
Data are taken from the global ETOPO2 dataset.
Foot of slope profile
Profile GEODAS:V1817 (Blue line is change of gradient)
Discussion
FOS 2 is situated at the northern edge of the Unnamed Rise. This is an area of
thickened oceanic crust that has accreted to and modified the southern edge of the
Nicaraguan Rise, extending it south of the line of the Hess Escarpment.
66
FOS 3
Regional profile – Base of Slope
Data are taken from the global ETOPO2 dataset.
Foot of slope profile
Profile GEODAS: RC1806 (Blue line is change of gradient)
Discussion
FOS 3 is situated at the foot of the Hess Escarpment in an area where the division between the
Lower Nicaraguan rise and the Colombian Basin is sharply defined.
Note that the base of slope profile (upper) is normal to the Hess Escarpment but the Geodas
profile (lower) is oblique.
67
FOS 4
Regional profile – Base of Slope
Data are taken from the global ETOPO2 dataset.
Foot of slope profile
Profile GEODAS: V2808 (Blue line is change of gradient)
Discussion
FOS 4 is situated at the foot of the Hess Escarpment in an area where the division
between the Lower Nicaraguan rise and the Colombian Basin is sharply defined.
68
FOS 5
Regional profile – Base of Slope
Data are taken from the global ETOPO2 dataset.
Foot of slope profile
Profile GEODAS: A2060Lo7 (Blue line is change of gradient)
Discussion
FOS 5 is situated at the northeastern end of the Hess Escarpment in an area
where the division between the Lower Nicaraguan Rise and the Colombian
Basin is sharply defined.
Note that the foot of the slope pick is based on evidence to the contrary as it does
not correspond to the maximum change of gradient.
69
70
71
PART II
FIGURES
Extract from General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO)World Map.
Available from http://www.gebco.net/data_and_products/hard_copy_charts/
Regional Bathymetry of Central America
and the Caribbean Sea
FIGURE 1
1
Nicaraguan
Continental Shelf
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Miskito
Cays
Mangle Chico
Mangle Grande
(Corn Islands)
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
0 100 200 M
FIGURE 1-1
O'Neille's Description of the Islands
12°
13° 30'
2
Islands and cays not reported by O'Neille
Islands reported by O'Neille
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Punta Faro
Punta Canoas
Colon
Punta de la Garita
Cabo de la Vera
Punta Gallinas
Punta de la Cruz
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San Blas
Golfo de
Uraba
Golfo de
Morrosquillo
Cartagena
Barranquilla
Cabo de la Aguja
Riohacha
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
0 100 200 M
FIGURE 1-2
Islands and Cays off the Mainland Coast of Nicaragua
3
4
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Punta Faro
Punta Canoas
Colon
Punta de la Garita
Cabo de la Vera
Punta Gallinas
Punta de la Cruz
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San Blas
Golfo de
Uraba
Golfo de
Morrosquillo
Cartagena
Barranquilla
Cabo de la Aguja
Riohacha
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
0 100 200 M
FIGURE 3-1
The Delimitation Area according to Nicaragua
Delimitation Area
Based on NM Figure 1
Outer limit of Nicaragua's
Continental Shelf
Hess Escarpment
Pedro Bank Fracture Zone
N I C A R A G U A N R I S E
Panama Deformed Belt
South Caribbean
Deformed Belt
Magdalena Fan
C O L O M B I A N B A S I N
San Andres Trough
South Cayman Trough
L O W E R N I C A R A G U A N R I S E
Mono Rise
S UBD U C T I O N Z O NE
Atrato
Suture
Beata Ridge
Zipa
Seamount
8° 8°
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
30' 30'
17° 17°
30' 30'
18° 18°
30' 30'
19° 19°
30' 30'
30'
30'
88°
88°
30'
30'
87°
87°
30'
30'
86°
86°
30'
30'
85°
85°
30'
30'
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
Nicaragua
Colombia
Honduras
Panama
Costa Rica
Mexico
Belize
Jamaica
Cuba
Haiti
Regional Geomorphology of the SW Caribbean
FIGURE 3-2
Water Depth Legend
0-1500m
1500-2500m
2500-4000m
over 4000m
Geological Structures
Subduction zone
Structural front
Major sinistral fault
Minor sinistral fault
Minor dextral fault
Undifferentiated fault
5
Perspective view of the SW Caribbean.
Based on ETOPO2 – public domain bathymetric dataset
Regional Geomorphology of the SW Caribbean – perspective view
FIGURE 3-3
NICARAGUA
Miskito Cay
Corn Is
Providencia
San Andres
COLOMBIA
NICARAGUAN RISE
LOWER
NICARAGUAN RISE
Jamaica
Mono Rise
COLOMBIAN
BASIN
C Gracias a Dios
N
Cuba
Hispaniola
Costa Rica
Panama
Zipa
Seamount
Pedro Bank Fracture Zone
Hess Escarpment
Subduction zone
Magdalena
Fan
Cayman Trough
6
Profile
location
Bathymetric Profile across the Nicaraguan Rise
and Colombian Basin
FIGURE 3-4
Bathymetric Profile
-4500
-4000
-3500
-3000
-2500
-2000
-1500
-1000
-500
0
1 51 101 151 201 251 301 351 401 451
Distance (M)
Depth (m)
Nicaraguan Rise
Lower
Nicaraguan Rise
Colombian
Basin
Hess Escarpment
Pedro Bank
Fracture Zone
Magdalena Fan
Based on the global ETOPO2 bathymetric dataset (NGDC)
Colombian Coast
7
0°
5°
10°
15°
20°
95° 90° 85° 80° 75° 70° 65° 60°
0°
5°
10°
15°
20°
95° 90° 85° 80° 75° 70° 65° 60°
Geological Structure of the Caribbean
FIGURE 3-5
Caribbean Plate
Background map is an extract from the Exxon Tectonic Map of the World (AAPG, 1985).
Caribbean Plate emphasised in red.
N American Plate
S American Plate
Cocos Plate
Nazca Plate
8
A. Regional profile across the Lower Nicaraguan Rise
(ETOPO2 dataset)
C. Location of profiles
Regional
profile
Geodas
profile
Example of the Methodology used for one of the
Nicaraguan Foot of Continental Slope Picks
(FOS No 3)
FIGURE 3-6
FOS
3
Lower Nicaraguan Rise
Colombian
Basin
FOS
3
B. Detail of the Foot of Slope (FOS) profile (Geodas profile RC 1806) selected at the
maximum change of gradient at the base of the slope
9
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
30' 30'
17° 17°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
30'
30'
Construction Details of the Outer Limit
of the Nicaraguan Continental Shelf
FIGURE 3-7
FOS-1
FOS-2
FOS-3
FOS-4
FOS-5
Corn Islands
Miskito Cay
10
Costa
Rica
0 100 200 M
Water Depth
0-200m
200-500m
500-1000m
1000-1500m
1500-2000m
2000-2500m
2500-3000m
3000-3500m
3500-4000m
4000-4500m
>4500m
Outer limit of
Nicaragua's
continental shelf
Article 76 Construction Details for the
Nicaraguan Continental Shelf
Outer limit of continental shelf
Foot of slope pick
Foot of slope + 60M
Cutoff: 2500m isobath + 100M
San Andrés
Providencia
A. Regional profile across the Magdalena Fan, Colombian Margin
(ETOPO2 dataset)
B. Sediment thickness calculation (NGDC dataset)
C. Location of profiles
Example Foot of Slope and Sediment Thickness
Calculations for the Colombian Continental Margin
FIGURE 3-8
Bathymetric
profile (A)
Sediment
profile (B)
1% sediment
point
FOS
FOS+60M
FOS+1%
sediment
200M limit
FOS
FOS
Sediment thickness
200M limit
S N
Colombian Coast
S N
The foot of slope (FOS) is picked at the point where the bathymetric gradient
becomes less than 1°, typical of the continental rise.
At the 1% sediment point the sediment thickness is 2.22km and is located
222km (120M) from the foot of the slope, thus satisfying the provisions of
article 76, 4a(i). This point is located about 20M inside the Colombian
200M limit.
11
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
Corn
Islands
Miskito Cay
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
30' 30'
17° 17°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
30'
30'
C O L O M B I A N S H E L F
Magdalena Rise
Foot of Slope
Continental S lope
Continental Slope Continental Slope
0 100 200 M
Water Depth
0-200m
200-500m
500-1000m
1000-1500m
1500-2000m
2000-2500m
2500-3000m
3000-3500m
3500-4000m
4000-4500m
>4500m
Outer limit of
Colombia's
continental shelf
FIGURE 3-9
Outer Limit of Colombian Continental Shelf
12
Outer Limit Calculation (according to article 76)
for the Colombian Continental Shelf
Final outer limit
Points based on 1% sediment thickness
Points based on FOS+60M
Foot of slope picks
Providencia
San Andrés
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
30' 30'
17° 17°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
30'
30'
Colombia's 200M EEZ limit
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
13
0 100 200 M
Area of overlapping
continental margins
FIGURE 3-10
Area of Overlapping Continental Margins
Continental Shelf Limits
(according to article 76)
Nicaragua
Colombia
Area of overlapping margins
Colombia's 200M(EEZ) limit
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
30' 30'
17° 17°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
30'
30'
Colombia's 200M EEZ limit
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
Corn
Islands
Miskito Cay
Providencia
San Andrés
0 100 200 M
Area of overlapping
continental margins
FIGURE 3-11
Delimitation of the Continental Shelf
Continental Shelf Limits
(according to article 76)
Area of overlapping margins
Line of equal division
of overlapping margins
Line of equal division of area
of overlapping margins
14
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Punta Faro
Punta Canoas
Colon
Punta de la Garita
Cabo de la Vera
Punta Gallinas
Punta de la Cruz
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San Blas
Golfo de
Uraba
Golfo de
Morrosquillo
Cartagena
Barranquilla
Cabo de la Aguja
Riohacha
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
0 100 200 M
FIGURE 4-1
The Insignificance of the San Andrés "Archipelago"
15
Extract of CCM 2.8
Composite of Colombian
Charts 630, 631 & 215
Absence of a low-water line on Quitasueño according to Colombian official charts
FIGURE 4-2
16
Charted low-water line
(Colombian charts do not indicate a low-water line)
A B C
Colombian Chart 46
CCM 2.9
FIGURE 4-3
17
Colombian Chart 46 Extract of CCM Figure 2.9
Low-water line and 12 nautical mile territorial sea on
Serranilla according to Colombian official chart
Charted area
of breakers
Illustrated area
of drying reef
FIGURE 4-4
18
Colombian Chart 46
Extract of CCM Figure 2.10
Low-water line and 12-nautical-mile territorial sea on Bajo Nuevo
according to Colombian official chart
Nicaragua's200M EEZ limit
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 4-5
Nicaragua's Potential EEZ Entitlement
19
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 5-1
12 nautical mile Enclaves
for Colombian Islands
20
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 5-2
12 and 3 nautical mile Enclaves
for Colombian Islands and Cays
21
48° 48°
30' 30'
49° 49°
30' 30'
50° 50°
30' 30'
30'
30'
5°
5°
30'
30'
4°
4°
30'
30'
3°
3°
30'
30'
2°
2°
30'
30'
1°
1°
30'
30'
0°
0°
30'
30'
48°00'.00N
51°00'.00N
6°00'.00W
1°00'.00E
United Kingdom
France
Channel
Islands
Guernsey
Alderney
Jersey
0 50 100 M
Area that would have been lost by France
were Channel Islands given full effect
The Channel Islands Case:
Consequences of full-effect for the Channel Islands
Continental Shelf Boundary
Ushant
I of Wight
FIGURE 5-3
22
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Punta Faro
Punta Canoas
Colon
Punta de la Garita
Cabo de la Vera
Punta Gallinas
Punta de la Cruz
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San Blas
Golfo de
Uraba
Golfo de
Morrosquillo
Cartagena
Barranquilla
Cabo de la Aguja
Riohacha
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
Venezuela
Nicaragua's200M EEZ limit
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
72°
72°
0 100 200 M
FIGURE 6-1
The Insignificance of the San Andrés Archipelago
23
France’s
coastal
projections
United Kingdom
France
Channel
Islands
FIGURE 6-2
Anglo-French Arbitration: Continental Shelf Delimitation
The Channel Islands did not block the projection of the French mainland coasts
24
Ref: Charney & Alexander Vol 1, p400
Canada-France (St Pierre & Miquelon):
Maritime Boundary established by the Award
FIGURE 6-3
25
FIGURE 6-4
St Pierre & Miquelon:
Their presence does not block the seaward extension of the maritime
projection of Canada’s coast
26
Nicaragua's200M EEZ limit
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 6-5
Nicaragua's Potential EEZ Entitlement
27
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 6-6
Colombia's Potential EEZ Entitlement
28
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 6-7
Area of Overlapping Potential EEZ Entitlements
29
Area of
Overlapping Entitlements
Area of overlapping potential potential
Nicaragua's potential entitlement outside area of overlap
Colombia's potential entitlement outside area of overlap
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 6-8
The Area of Overlapping Entitlements v
Colombia's Claimed Relevant Area
30
Colombia's
Claimed
Relevant
Area
Area of
Overlapping
Entitlements
Nicaragua's200M EEZ limit
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 6-9
Delimitation of the EEZ:
12 nautical mile Enclaves
31
Nicaragua's200M EEZ limit
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 6-10
Delimitation of the EEZ:
12 and 3 nautical mile Enclaves
32
Nicaragua's200M EEZ limit
C Gracias
à Dios
Golfo de los
Mosquitos
Colon
Miskito
Cays
Corn
Islands
Punta del Mono
Punta Castilla
Puerto Limon
Punta Cahuita
Punta Mona
Almirante
Punta de Perlas
P. San
Alburquerque
Cays
East Southeast
Cays
San Andrés
Island
Providencia
Island
S Catalina
Serrana Cay
Roncador Cay
Serranilla Cay
Bajo
Nuevo
Cay
Nicaragua
Panama
Costa Rica
Honduras
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
14° 14°
30' 30'
15° 15°
30' 30'
16° 16°
84°
84°
30'
30'
83°
83°
30'
30'
82°
82°
30'
30'
81°
81°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
79°
79°
0 50 100 M
FIGURE 6-11
Potential Result of applying the
St Pierre & Miquelon Methodology
to the Colombian Islands
33
05' 05'
10' 10'
15' 15'
20' 20'
25' 25'
30' 30'
35' 35'
40' 40'
45' 45'
50' 50'
55' 55'
26° 26°
05' 05'
30'
30'
35'
35'
40'
40'
45'
45'
50'
50'
55'
55'
55°
55°
05'
05'
10'
10'
15'
15'
20'
20'
25'
25'
0 6 12 M
Abu Musa
Sirri
Dubai
D U B A I
SHARJAH
Dubai-Sharjah Award
Specified points
Agreed Iran-Dubai boundary
Median between Abu Musa and Dubai
Median line
SHARJAH
DUBAI
IRAN
DUBAI
FIGURE 6-12
The Dubai-Sharjah Award
34
30' 30'
4° 4°
30' 30'
5° 5°
30' 30'
6° 6°
30' 30'
7° 7°
30' 30'
8° 8°
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
30'
30'
69°
69°
30'
30'
70°
70°
30'
30'
71°
71°
30'
30'
72°
72°
30'
30'
73°
73°
30'
30'
74°
74°
30'
30'
75°
75°
30'
30'
76°
76°
30'
30'
77°
77°
30'
30'
78°
78°
30'
30'
79°
79°
30'
30'
80°
80°
30'
30'
INDIA
MALDIVES
SRI
LANKA
INDIA
MALDIVES
INDIA
SRI LANKA
L A C C A D I V E I S
(I N D I A )
A r c h i p e l a g i c w a t e r s
Minicoy Is
0 100 200 M
200M
India-Maldives Agreement
India - Sri Lanka Agreement
200M EEZ limit
35
FIGURE 6-13
The India-Maldives Agreement
30° 30°
30' 30'
29° 29°
30' 30'
28° 28°
30' 30'
27° 27°
30' 30'
26° 26°
30' 30'
25° 25°
30' 30'
24° 24°
30' 30'
23° 23°
30' 30'
22° 22°
30' 30'
21° 21°
30' 30'
20° 20°
30' 30'
19° 19°
30' 30'
18° 18°
30' 30'
17° 17°
30' 30'
16° 16°
30' 30'
15° 15°
147°
147°
30'
30'
148°
148°
30'
30'
149°
149°
30'
30'
150°
150°
30'
30'
151°
151°
30'
30'
152°
152°
30'
30'
153°
153°
30'
30'
154°
154°
30'
30'
155°
155°
30'
30'
156°
156°
30'
30'
157°
157°
30'
30'
158°
158°
30'
30'
159°
159°
30'
30'
160°
160°
30'
30'
161°
161°
30'
30'
162°
162°
30'
30'
163°
163°
30'
30'
164°
164°
30'
30'
165°
165°
30'
30'
166°
166°
30'
30'
167°
167°
30'
30'
168°
168°
30'
30'
169°
169°
30'
30'
0 100 200 M
A U S T R A L I A
NEW CALEDONIA
(FRANCE)
V A N U A T U
Norfolk Is
Middleton Reef (Australia)
(Australia)
FRANCE
AUSTRALIA
FRANCE
AUSTRALIA
Lord Howe Is
(Australia)
FIGURE 6-14
The Australia-France Agreement
Australia-France Agreement
Australia-France (Continental shelf)
Other agreed boundaries
36
5° 5°
30' 30'
6° 6°
30' 30'
7° 7°
30' 30'
8° 8°
30' 30'
9° 9°
30' 30'
10° 10°
30' 30'
11° 11°
30' 30'
12° 12°
30' 30'
13° 13°
30' 30'
30'
30'
93°
93°
30'
30'
94°
94°
30'
30'
95°
95°
30'
30'
96°
96°
30'
30'
97°
97°
30'
30'
98°
98°
30'
30'
99°
99°
30'
30'
A N D A M A N
I S L A N D S
( I N D I A )
N I C O B A R
I S L A N D S
( I N D I A )
INDONESIA
THAILAND
M Y A N M A R
INDIA
Similan Is
The India-Thailand Agreement
THAILAND
0 100 200 M
India - Thailand Agreement
Other agreed boundaries
FIGURE 6-15
37
Volume II Annexes and Figures