Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2593/-1/135/
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BOUNDARY BENEFITS ANGUILLA, BVI Anguillians Fishing South Of Sombrero
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The maritime boundary between Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands has now been formally established, ending a longstanding matter between the Governments of the two territories.
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Map showing the Maritime Boundary Line between Anguilla and th
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The new boundary was established by joint Proclamations issued on Monday, July 11, by Anguilla’s Governor, Alan Huckle, and the Governor of the BVI, Tom Macum. A press released from the Governor’s Office here states that the UK Government will now be taking steps, as agreed by the two Governments, to extend the territorial sea of each territory from 3 to 12 miles.
The release points out that the maritime boundary was agreed to by the territories in 2002 following extended negotiations facilitated by the UK Government. The technical and legal advice was provided by the UK Hydrographic Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The agreed boundary replaces the median line which was used previously on a provisional basis when Anguilla and the BVI established their Fisheries Zones. The new boundary represents a compromise agreement between the then Governments of the territories which has since been confirmed by the current Administrators. The boundary is an all-purpose one, taking into account the fisheries zones and continental shelves of the territories.
The boundary was under discussion for many years. The issue was first raised with the territories by the UK Government in 1991. The negotiations began in 1993 and the boundary was eventually agreed upon in 2002. The difference of opinion causing the initial delay in agreement was about the extent to which Sombrero Island should be taken into account in determining the boundary. Anguilla wanted 100% consideration to be given to the 94-acre Sombrero Island, (which is part of its territory and has supported a manned lighthouse and phosphate mining in the past). The BVI on the other hand wanted 50% consideration to be given to White Horse, an uninhabited rock standing three feet above the high water mark on the Horseshoe Reef south of Anegada.
The territories eventually arrived at a compromise agreement. Sombrero has been given full consideration south of 19 03.58 N to the advantage of Anguilla. BVI is compensated for this further north (ignoring White Horse), giving an overall weight of 75% to Sombrero. The Governments regarded this as the best solution and it is felt that neither territory has benefited more than the other.
It has been pointed out in briefing notes by the Governor’s Office that the way the neutral boundary has been delimited, Anguilla and its fishermen have the benefit of fishing in the south. “As Anguilla’s fishermen tend to fish nearer to shore, in shallower water, it is to their advantage that Anguilla received the benefit of Sombrero in the south (nearer this island), and not in the north where the boundary is cutting through much deeper water further offshore,” it was stated.
The new maritime boundary between Anguilla and BVI will be notified to the UN Secretary General as well as to regional islands and organisations. Anguilla’s boundary is now delimited on its western border. It was ratified with the US Virgin Islands in June 1995 and with St. Martin and Saba I January 1997. Agreement was reached with Saba in 1994 but remains to be ratified. Anguilla’s eastern border with Antigua and Barbuda is still to be agreed.