This book addresses the often vexed question of national maritime claims and the delimitation of international maritime boundaries. The number of undelimited international maritime boundaries is much larger than the number of agreed lines. The two boundaries that define the marine domain of coastal states are examined. First the baselines along the coast may consist of low-water lines or straight lines or a combination of both. When straight lines are used they define the seaward limit of the state's internal waters. Second the outer limits of claims to territorial seas, contiguous zones and exclusive economic zones are measured from the baselines. All states will have to delimit at least one international boundary with a neighbouring state, whether adjacent or opposite. In confined seas no state can claim the full entitlement and must negotiate international boundaries with all neighbours. Many states bordering oceans can claim the full entitlement seawards, although they will need to delimit national boundaries with adjacent neighbours.

《世界海洋政治边界》原作者是国际著名的海洋划界专家普雷斯科特和斯科菲尔德，由国家海洋局国际合作司司长张海文和海洋发展战略研究所研究员吴继陆共同倾力翻译，海洋出版社社长杨绥华审校。

普雷斯科特是著名的政治地理学家、国际海洋划界问题专家，并且很关心中国海洋划界实践，曾到中国进行访问。斯科菲尔德是具有测绘学背景的政治地理学家，曾领导英国杜尔汉姆大学国际边界研究小组，长期从事海洋划界问题研究。两位原作者还特地为本书的中文版写了中文版序，介绍本书的写作背景，指导中文版的阅读。译者更是为本书撰写精彩的译者序，详细介绍了翻译本书的动因，客观评价了本书的价值。