Australia's Northern Maritime Jurisdiction and Bathymetry Map

Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction off Northern Australia is a geospatial map depicting the country's extended continental shelf and various maritime zones. It is one of 27 constituent maps in the Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Map Series published by the Australian Ocean Data Network. The map background combines bathymetric data from Geoscience Australia (2009) and Smith & Sandwell (1997) with NASA's Blue Marble land imagery.

Use Cases

• Analyze the spatial extent of Australia's approved continental shelf boundaries for legal and policy research.
• Use the integrated bathymetry layer for marine spatial planning and habitat modeling in northern Australian waters.
• Reference the depicted maritime zones (e.g., exclusive economic zone) for fisheries management and enforcement analysis.

Strengths

• Map is part of a standardized national series of 27 constituent maritime jurisdiction maps.
• Integrates bathymetric data from two authoritative sources: Geoscience Australia (2009) and Smith & Sandwell (1997).

Limitations

• Spatial coverage excludes areas around Cocos (Keeling) Islands and west of Christmas Island.
• Primary deliverable is a static PDF file sized for plotting (2800mm x 1050mm), limiting direct geospatial analysis.
• Underlying vector data for maritime boundaries and bathymetry grids is not directly accessible.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, part of the Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Map Series (GeoCat 71789).

Collection Method

Cartographic compilation of treaty boundaries, maritime zones, and synthesized bathymetric/land imagery.

Time Range

Maritime boundaries reflect treaties and a continental shelf submission approved in April 2008.

Freshness

The continental shelf limits were approved in April 2008, though the map series was last updated in 2026.

Geography

Covers maritime areas contiguous to northern Australia, including Christmas Island, but excludes Cocos (Keeling) Islands.