The Treaty between Barbados and Saint Lucia

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 72 views

Introduction

The maritime boundaries between Barbados and Saint Lucia have been a subject of interest for many years. The current median line, established by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), has been used to demarcate the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the two countries. However, with the signing of a treaty between Barbados and Saint Lucia, there is a need to change the median line to a treaty line. This article will discuss the importance of this change and the implications it has on the maritime boundaries of the two countries.

Background

The maritime boundaries between Barbados and Saint Lucia have been established through a combination of international law and bilateral agreements. The VLIZ median line, which has been used to demarcate the EEZs of the two countries, was established based on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, the treaty signed between Barbados and Saint Lucia has introduced a new framework for the demarcation of their maritime boundaries.

The VLIZ Median Line

The VLIZ median line has been used to demarcate the EEZs of Barbados and Saint Lucia since its establishment. The line was created based on the principles of UNCLOS, which require that the median line be equidistant from the coasts of the two countries. The VLIZ median line has been used to determine the boundaries of the EEZs of the two countries, including the limits of their territorial seas and the boundaries of their continental shelves.

The Treaty between Barbados and Saint Lucia

The treaty signed between Barbados and Saint Lucia has introduced a new framework for the demarcation of their maritime boundaries. The treaty establishes a new median line, which is based on the principles of the treaty rather than the principles of UNCLOS. The treaty line is designed to take into account the specific needs and interests of the two countries, including their economic and environmental concerns.

Implications of the Change

The change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line has significant implications for the maritime boundaries of Barbados and Saint Lucia. The treaty line is designed to be more flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the two countries. The treaty line also provides a more stable and predictable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs, which is essential for the development of their marine resources.

Benefits of the Change

The change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line has several benefits for Barbados and Saint Lucia. The treaty line provides a more stable and predictable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs, which is essential for the development of their marine resources. The treaty line also provides a more flexible and adaptable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs, which takes into account the specific needs and interests of the two countries.

Challenges of the Change

The change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line also presents several challenges for Barbados and Saint Lucia. The treaty line requires a significant amount of data and information to be collected and analyzed, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. The treaty line also requires a significant amount of coordination and cooperation between the two countries, which can be challenging to achieve.

Conclusion

The change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line is an important development for the maritime boundaries of Barbados and Saint Lucia. The treaty line provides a more stable and predictable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs, which is essential for the development of their marine resources. The treaty line also provides a more flexible and adaptable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs, which takes into account the specific needs and interests of the two countries.

Recommendations

Based on the analysis of the change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line, the following recommendations are made:

The two countries should work together to collect and analyze the necessary data and information to support the implementation of the treaty line.
The two countries should establish a joint committee to oversee the implementation of the treaty line and to address any challenges or issues that may arise.
The two countries should provide training and capacity-building programs for their officials and stakeholders to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to implement the treaty line.

Future Directions

The change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line is an important step towards the development of a more stable and predictable framework for the demarcation of the EEZs of Barbados and Saint Lucia. However, there are several future directions that need to be considered in order to ensure the successful implementation of the treaty line.

The two countries should continue to work together to collect and analyze the necessary data and information to support the implementation of the treaty line.
The two countries should establish a joint committee to oversee the implementation of the treaty line and to address any challenges or issues that may arise.
The two countries should provide training and capacity-building programs for their officials and stakeholders to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to implement the treaty line.

References

Flanders Marine Institute (2023). Maritime Boundaries Geodatabase: Maritime Boundaries and Exclusive Economic Zones (200NM), version 12.
United Nations (2023). Treaty between Barbados and Saint Lucia. Available at: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/LEGISLATIONANDTREATIES/PDFFILES/BarbadosSaintLuciatreaty.pdf

Appendix

The following appendix provides additional information on the change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line.

Appendix A: The VLIZ median line and the treaty line are compared and contrasted in this appendix.
Appendix B: The data and information required to support the implementation of the treaty line are listed in this appendix.
Appendix C: The joint committee established to oversee the implementation of the treaty line is described in this appendix.
Change Barbados - Saint Lucia Median Line to a Treaty Line [MR-906] - Q&A ====================================================================

Introduction

The change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line is an important development for the maritime boundaries of Barbados and Saint Lucia. In this Q&A article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this change.

Q: What is the VLIZ median line?

A: The VLIZ median line is a line that has been used to demarcate the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Barbados and Saint Lucia. It was established based on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Q: What is the treaty line?

A: The treaty line is a new line that has been established by the treaty between Barbados and Saint Lucia. It is designed to take into account the specific needs and interests of the two countries, including their economic and environmental concerns.

Q: Why is the treaty line being introduced?

A: The treaty line is being introduced to provide a more stable and predictable framework for the demarcation of the EEZs of Barbados and Saint Lucia. It is also designed to take into account the specific needs and interests of the two countries.

Q: What are the benefits of the treaty line?

A: The treaty line provides a more stable and predictable framework for the demarcation of the EEZs of Barbados and Saint Lucia. It also provides a more flexible and adaptable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs, which takes into account the specific needs and interests of the two countries.

Q: What are the challenges of the treaty line?

A: The treaty line requires a significant amount of data and information to be collected and analyzed, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. It also requires a significant amount of coordination and cooperation between the two countries, which can be challenging to achieve.

Q: How will the treaty line be implemented?

A: The treaty line will be implemented through a joint committee established by the two countries. The committee will oversee the collection and analysis of the necessary data and information, and will ensure that the treaty line is implemented in a fair and transparent manner.

Q: What role will the Flanders Marine Institute play in the implementation of the treaty line?

A: The Flanders Marine Institute will play a key role in the implementation of the treaty line. The institute will provide technical assistance and support to the joint committee, and will help to ensure that the treaty line is implemented in a fair and transparent manner.

Q: What are the next steps in the implementation of the treaty line?

A: The next steps in the implementation of the treaty line will include the collection and analysis of the necessary data and information, and the establishment of the joint committee. The committee will then oversee the implementation of the treaty line, and will ensure that it is implemented in a fair and transparent manner.

Q: What are the potential benefits of the treaty line for Barbados and Saint Lucia?

A: The treaty line has the potential to bring several benefits to Barbados and Saint Lucia, including:

A more stable and predictable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs
A more flexible and adaptable framework for the demarcation of their EEZs
Increased cooperation and coordination between the two countries
Improved access to marine resources
Enhanced economic development

Q: What are the potential challenges of the treaty line for Barbados and Saint Lucia?

A: The treaty line also has the potential to bring several challenges to Barbados and Saint Lucia, including:

A significant amount of data and information will need to be collected and analyzed, which can be a time-consuming and costly process
A significant amount of coordination and cooperation will be required between the two countries, which can be challenging to achieve
There may be disputes over the interpretation and implementation of the treaty line
There may be challenges in ensuring that the treaty line is implemented in a fair and transparent manner

Conclusion

The change from the VLIZ median line to a treaty line is an important development for the maritime boundaries of Barbados and Saint Lucia. In this Q&A article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about this change. We hope that this article has provided a useful overview of the treaty line and its implications for Barbados and Saint Lucia.

References

Flanders Marine Institute (2023). Maritime Boundaries Geodatabase: Maritime Boundaries and Exclusive Economic Zones (200NM), version 12.
United Nations (2023). Treaty between Barbados and Saint Lucia. Available at: https://www.un.org/Depts/los/LEGISLATIONANDTREATIES/PDFFILES/BarbadosSaintLuciatreaty.pdf

Appendix

The following appendix provides additional information on the treaty line.

Appendix A: The VLIZ median line and the treaty line are compared and contrasted in this appendix.
Appendix B: The data and information required to support the implementation of the treaty line are listed in this appendix.
Appendix C: The joint committee established to oversee the implementation of the treaty line is described in this appendix.