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Agreement between the government of Australia and the Government of Solomon Islands Establishing certain Sea and Seabed Boundaries [1988] PITSE 16 (13 September 1988)

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS ESTABLISHING CERTAIN SEA AND SEABED BOUNDARIES

(Honiara, 13 September 1988)

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 14 APRIL 1989

THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS,

DESIRING to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries,

RECOGNISING the need to effect a precise and equitable delimitation of the respective maritime areas in which the two States exercise sovereign rights,

Basing themselves on the rules and principles of relevant international law and taking into account the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

1. Seaward of Australian reefs in the Coral Sea .on the one hand and Solomon Islands reefs on the other hand, the line of delimitation between the Australian Fishing Zone and the Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone and between areas of continental shelf over which each State respectively exercises sovereign rights in accordance with international law lies along the geodesics connecting the following points, defined by their co-ordinates, in the order stated:

Point Latitude S Longitude E

U 14°04’00’’ 157°00’00’’
V 14°41’00’’ 157°43’00’’
R1 15°44’07’’ 158°45’39’’

2. The geographical co-ordinates referred to in this Article are expressed in terms of the Australian Geodetic Datum 1966 (AGD 66) in respect of point U, and in terms of the World Geodetic System 1972 (WGS 72) in respect of points V and R1. Where for the purposes of this Agreement it is necessary to determine the position on the surface of the Earth of a point, line or area, that position may be determined by reference to either AGD 66 or WGS 72. In the case of AGD 66, that reference shall be in respect of a spheroid having its centre at the centre of the Earth, and a major (equatorial) radius of 6,378,160 metres and a flattening of 100/29825. In the case of WGS 72, that reference shall be in respect of a spheroid having its centre at the centre of the Earth, and a major (equatorial) radius of 6,378,135 metres and a flattening of 100/29826.

3. The line described in paragraph 1 of this Article is shown on the maps annexed to this Agreement as Annex 1 and Annex 2.

Article 2

If any accumulation of liquid hydrocarbons or natural gas, or if any other mineral deposit beneath the seabed, extends across the line specified in Article 1 of this Agreement and the part of such accumulation or deposit that is situated on one side of the line is exploitable wholly or in part from the other side of the line, the two Governments wiIl seek to reach agreement on the manner in which the accumulation or deposit may be most effectively exploited and on the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from such exploitation.

Article 3

Any dispute between the two Governments arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled peacefully by consultation or negotiation.

Article 4

Each Party shall notify the other of the completion of its constitutional procedures necessary to bring this Agreement into force. The Agreement shall enter into force on the day of receipt of the later of those notifications.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised by their respective Governments have signed this Agreement.

DONE in duplicate at Honiara on 13th September 1988 in the English
language.

For the Government of Australia: