Exclusive economic zone of Myanmar

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Myanmar is a maritime area in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, over which the Republic of the Union of Myanmar exercises sovereign rights for the exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of natural resources, both living and non-living, and for other economic activities. This zone extends up to 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) from Myanmar's baselines, encompassing the water column, the seabed, and its subsoil.^[1] The establishment and delimitation of this EEZ are crucial for Myanmar's economic development, particularly in harnessing its marine resources.

History

Myanmar declared its Territorial Sea and Maritime Zones Law in 1977, establishing its maritime claims, including an Exclusive Economic Zone, prior to the conclusion of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).^[2] Myanmar subsequently signed UNCLOS when it opened for signature and ratified it on 21 May 1996, with the convention entering into force for Myanmar on 20 June 1996.^[3] In 2017, Myanmar enacted a new Territorial Sea and Maritime Zones Law (The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No. 14, 2017), which repealed the 1977 law and further clarified its rights and jurisdiction within its maritime zones, aligning with UNCLOS provisions.^[1]

Details

Myanmar's Exclusive Economic Zone covers a significant area in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Its EEZ is estimated to be approximately 486,000 square kilometers (188,000 sq mi).^[4] Another source indicates the EEZ covers 532,780 square kilometers (205,706 sq mi). This maritime area is rich in diverse natural resources. Significant potential for offshore oil and natural gas deposits exists, particularly in the Bay of Bengal.^[5] The EEZ also supports a substantial marine fisheries sector, contributing to the country's food security and economy.^[6]

Disputes

Myanmar has engaged in maritime boundary delimitation with its neighbors, successfully resolving some long-standing disputes through bilateral agreements and international arbitration.

Resolved disputes

Myanmar-Bangladesh resolved EEZ

Myanmar successfully resolved its maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh through a judgment delivered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on 14 March 2012.^[7] This ruling, which was the first maritime boundary case heard by ITLOS, delimited the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf between the two countries in the Bay of Bengal.^[8] The decision provided clarity for hydrocarbon exploration in the disputed areas.^[7]

Myanmar-India resolved EEZ

Additionally, Myanmar and India delimited their maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea through a treaty signed on 23 December 1986.^[3] The maritime boundary with Thailand in the Andaman Sea was established through a bilateral agreement reached on 25 July 1980, with a tripoint with India being established on 27 October 1993.^[9]

Unresolved disputes

As of recent reports, Myanmar has no major unresolved maritime boundary disputes concerning its Exclusive Economic Zone with its immediate neighbors. The maritime boundaries with Bangladesh, India, and Thailand have been formally delimited through international arbitration or bilateral agreements.^[3]^[9]

Issues

Myanmar faces several challenges in effectively managing and developing its Exclusive Economic Zone. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a significant concern, leading to overexploitation of marine resources and economic losses.^[6] Limited surveillance capabilities and enforcement mechanisms hinder the effective monitoring and protection of its vast maritime area.^[10]

Environmental degradation, including marine pollution from land-based activities, shipping, and potential offshore resource extraction, poses threats to the delicate marine ecosystems and biodiversity within its EEZ.^[10]

Plans: Blue Economy

Myanmar has recognized the importance of its maritime domain for national development and is increasingly focusing on a "Blue Economy" approach. This strategy aims to promote sustainable utilization of marine resources, enhance maritime trade, and foster ocean-related industries. Key areas of focus include developing sustainable fisheries management practices to ensure long-term productivity and combat IUU fishing.^[6]

The government also seeks to attract investment in offshore oil and gas exploration while ensuring environmental safeguards. Plans may also encompass the development of coastal tourism, marine aquaculture, and renewable energy projects. To support these initiatives, Myanmar is working towards strengthening its maritime governance, improving scientific research capabilities, and building human capacity in marine sciences and ocean management.

References

^ ^a ^b "Myanmar Territorial Sea and Maritime Zones Law (The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No.14, 2017)". FAOLEX, FAO.org. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ "Territorial Sea and Maritime Zones Law, 1977 (Law No. 3)". FAOLEX, FAO.org. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Myanmar Submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf" (PDF). United Nations. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ "Fisheries Country Profile: Myanmar". Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ "Myanmar v. Bangladesh" (PDF). CNA Corporation. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Country review: Myanmar". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ ^a ^b "International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea issues judgment in Bangladesh/Myanmar". Herbert Smith Freehills. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ Duenkel, Arndt (2015-10-19). "The Bangladesh/Myanmar Maritime Dispute: Lessons for Peaceful Resolution". Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ ^a ^b "Myanmar–Thailand Maritime Boundary". Sovereign Limits. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
^ ^a ^b Oo, Aung Myat; Htet, Kyaw Zin; Myint, Zayar (2020). "Marine Pollution in Myanmar: A Review of Sources, Impacts and Management Challenges". Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 8 (10): 786. doi:10.3390/jmse8100786.

[FAOLEX_2017-1] "Myanmar Territorial Sea and Maritime Zones Law (The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No.14, 2017)". FAOLEX, FAO.org. Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[FAOLEX_1977-2] "Territorial Sea and Maritime Zones Law, 1977 (Law No. 3)". FAOLEX, FAO.org. Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[UN_Myanmar_Submission-3] "Myanmar Submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf" (PDF). United Nations. Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[SEAFDEC-4] "Fisheries Country Profile: Myanmar". Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[CNA_Myanmar_Bangladesh-5] "Myanmar v. Bangladesh" (PDF). CNA Corporation. Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[FAO_Country_Review-6] "Country review: Myanmar". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[ITLOS_Press_Release-7] "International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea issues judgment in Bangladesh/Myanmar". Herbert Smith Freehills. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[CSIS_Myanmar_Bangladesh-8] Duenkel, Arndt (2015-10-19). "The Bangladesh/Myanmar Maritime Dispute: Lessons for Peaceful Resolution". Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[Sovereign_Limits_Myanmar_Thailand-9] "Myanmar–Thailand Maritime Boundary". Sovereign Limits. Retrieved 2025-07-02.

[Myanmar_Marine_Pollution-10] Oo, Aung Myat; Htet, Kyaw Zin; Myint, Zayar (2020). "Marine Pollution in Myanmar: A Review of Sources, Impacts and Management Challenges". Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 8 (10): 786. doi:10.3390/jmse8100786.

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