Maritime Jurisdiction Map of Northern Australia and Continental Shelf

One map from the 27-constituent 'Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Map Series' (GeoCat 71789). This 2800mm x 1050mm PDF depicts Australia's continental shelf as proclaimed in the 2012 proclamation, with background bathymetry derived from 2009 and 1997 grids. The map was updated in June 2014 to conform with the 'Australian Maritime Boundaries 2014' dataset from Geoscience Australia.

Use Cases

• Analyze the proclaimed continental shelf boundaries for legal and maritime policy research.
• Use the bathymetry background layer for geological and oceanographic studies of the region.
• Reference the maritime jurisdiction areas contiguous to northern Australia for marine spatial planning.

Strengths

• Part of a standardized 27-map national series (GeoCat 71789), ensuring consistency.
• Integrates authoritative bathymetry data from Geoscience Australia (2009) and Smith & Sandwell (1997).
• Officially updated to align with the national 'Australian Maritime Boundaries 2014' dataset.

Limitations

• Data is a static map (PDF/HTML) not a machine-readable geospatial dataset, limiting computational analysis.
• Spatial coverage excludes areas around Cocos (Keeling) Islands and west of Christmas Island.
• Based on a 2014 update of a 2012 proclamation, potentially not reflecting recent maritime claims.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Derived from official proclamations and integrated bathymetry/topographic grids.

Time Range

Based on the Seas and Submerged Lands (Limits of Continental Shelf) Proclamation 2012.

Freshness

Updated in June 2014; metadata last updated March 2026.

Geography

Maritime areas off Northern Australia, including Christmas Island, excluding Cocos (Keeling) Islands.