Perspective On Utilization Of Coastline Fractal On Maritime Delimitation

In maritime delimitation, the method of proportion is mainly employed to test if the results of delimitation got by other means are in proportion to each other of shoreline lengths of the both sides, and to adjust the temporary delimitation got by other means in order to form a final delimitation. However, in practices (including the cases adjudged by the International Court of Justice) of maritime delimitation, due to the absence of a uniform measure scale. It is difficult to compare the results of shoreline length measured by different sides. So it's necessary to discuss the problem on how to measure the shoreline length.The paper reviewed the history of principles and methods of maritime delimitation, and discussed the developing trend of principle and method of the maritime delimitation. Based on the fractal dimension calculation of some representative geographical units, the future of utilization of fractal theory on maritime delimitation is discussed, and the following results are presented:1. Coastlines are measured on the ETM satellite images using different dividers. Fractal dimension of land coastlines of Zhejiang Province, Shanghai City, and island coastlines of Chongming Island and integer Ryukyu are 1.165, 1.0182, 1.0279 and 1.1949 respectively.2. Method of proportion must be carefully used on maritime delimitation. Difference of coastal types between both sides should be fully considered ahead of schedule. Using of proportion method on maritime delimitation on coastlines with great difference of fractal dimensions is far form principle of faire.3. After case studied some geographical unites and discuss utilization of the method of proportion on maritime delimitation, pointed that the employed scale should be neither too large nor too small when using proportion method on maritime delimitation.4. Using dividing to measure length of coastlines on satellite images, impacts of different measure scales could be avoided in a certain degree due to bits of same scale are employed as a united scale.