The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, agreed this week that Chile will not have to give up 38,000 square nautical miles of fishing ground to neighboring country Peru, ending a six-year dispute between the two countries.
The ICJ gave the final ruling on 27 January on the maritime dispute first presented by the Peruvian government in 2008. The ruling preserved Chile's rights to work in the fertile anchovy fishing grounds, which are worth an estimated USD 200 million annually to the Chilean economy.
The original border, Chile claimed, started at a point on the coastline where both countries meet, the Hito 1, and ran parallel to the outermost border, where international waters begin. Chile claimed to have gained control of the area through two agreements in the 1950s.
However, Peru claimed these were fishing treaties and the zone has never been settled. Peru asked the court to approve the settlement of a new starting point for Hito 1, and re-draw the maritime border as a 200-mile long line southwest to the outer boundary of international waters. This would have cost Chile a large swath of ocean territory, including a "triangle" of about 38,000 square nautical miles where the anchovy fishing grounds lie.
But the ICJ denied Peru's petition, declining to move Hito 1. However, the parallel line starting at Hito 1 will now only extend for 80 miles, then turn southwest, extending to the international boundary. The ruling cost Chile some nautical territory, but still kept the key anchovy fishing grounds within Chilean borders, which Chilean officials declared a victory.
"The ratification of Hito 1 protects some of Chile's essential rights. It helps maintain a vital maritime extension for Arica and Iquique, which we were very worried about," Alberto Van Klaveren, Chile's representative at The Hague, said following the ruling, referring to two key fishing port cities in northern Chile.
The ruling means Chilean fishermen will still lose some fishing territory, however, the changes will be gradual. According to Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno, "The validity of the judgment is immediate. But how we implement it, is a work of both countries and will take time."
Last week, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera said, "Chile will obey its obligations, but will also exercise their rights, and therefore, the smartest way to implement this verdict is based on discourse and the search for an agreement, because it is necessary to remember that Peru is, has been, and will continue being not only a bordering country, but a country that Chile has many ties with."
