Australia's Marine Jurisdiction
Page last updated:24 September 2019
![waves](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0012/130611/varieties/768w.jpg)
Geoscience Australia has produced a series of 28 electronic maps which depict Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction.
![Colourful sunset over Sydney city CBD and harbour landmarks in elevated aerial view above Harbour waters.](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0016/130624/varieties/768w.jpg)
As an island continent, Australia has sovereign rights over a vast area of ocean, along with the fishery, mineral, and petroleum resources found in that area. The management and protection of the waters that yield these resources is a complex task.
![Person typing code into computer](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0015/130605/varieties/768w.jpg)
A web based interactive mapping and decision support system that improves access to integrated government and non-government information in the Australian Marine Jurisdiction (AMSIS).
![RV Investigator captains deck](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0016/130606/varieties/768w.jpg)
Important to understand the definitions of a number of terms including nautical mile, territorial sea baseline, coastal waters, fishing zones & continental shelf.
![Aerial panorama of Sorrento Back Beach and coastline. Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Australia](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/130608/varieties/768w.jpg)
Provide instructions relating to the technical aspects of writing maritime boundary descriptions. The procedures are intended as an aid also for Government departments and agencies developing policy in Australia's offshore area.
![people having a meeting aboard a ship](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0019/130609/varieties/768w.jpg)
Critical to the determination of all maritime boundaries is the determination of the Territorial Sea Baseline (TSB) around Australia and its remote offshore territories.
![Clown anemone fish](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/130607/varieties/768w.jpg)
Australia is a vast continent with a distinctive outline. The 'real' Australia is very different and extends offshore well beyond the current coastline.
![sunrise view from ship](https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/130610/varieties/768w.jpg)
A listing of related web sites on the topic of Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction and the Law of the Sea.