On 27 June 1996, France and the United Kingdom sign the Maritime Delimitation Agreement concerning the area between Guadeloupe, Martinique and British Dominica / Montserrat — the bilateral instrument fixing the maritime boundary in the eastern Caribbean.

The agreement sets the median line and coordinates of delimitation points for exclusive economic zones, reducing the risk of disputes over fishing and continental-shelf resources.

Negotiated amid post-UNCLOS maritime boundary modernisation, it complements the series of Franco-British Caribbean and Atlantic treaties.

Entry into force depends on the reciprocal notifications provided in the text; coordinates are annexed to the treaty.

For the law of the sea, 27 June 1996 marks a clear Franco-British delimitation in the Lesser Antilles.

The official text is registered in the United Nations Treaty Series / diplomatic collections.

The France–United Kingdom Maritime Delimitation Agreement of 27 June 1996 remains the reference for the eastern Caribbean boundary.

Image: Caribbean; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: 1996 France–United Kingdom Maritime Delimitation Agreements. Treaty text: France–UK Maritime Delimitation (FCO CM 3654 archive).