VII. The continental shelf

Definition of the continental shelf

The continental shelf and the work of the Commission

To the south lies the European continental shelf and the North Sea, to the east is the Eurasian continental shelf with the Barents Sea.

ANNEX II.

Information reported by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

We note with satisfaction the progress made by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

(i) Mr. Peter F. Croker, Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

We note the important work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

The Commission took note of the report of the Chairman of the Committee.

The views of the Commission on this way of proceeding were sought.

We are pleased to note the progress in the work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

(b) Desktop study or other means to make an assessment of the nature of the continental shelf and its limits

Modus operandi for the consideration of a submission made to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

Statement by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission

He informed the Commission that the Committee had addressed the suggestion made by the Legal Counsel with regard to the drafting of internal guidelines for members of the Commission, as stated in paragraph 9 above.

Its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, which is currently under examination by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, is estimated to be 953,525 square kilometres.

However, there are no fixed platforms operating in the Exclusive Economic Zone Continental shelf of Mauritius.

T his régime furnishes an example of a legal theory derived from a particular source that has secured a general following.

Fiji is mindful of all its obligations under the Convention, in particular those relating to the limits of the continental shelf.

(b) Desktop study or other means to make an initial assessment of the nature of the continental shelf and its limits

The question with regard to which the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) decided to seek a legal opinion reads as follows

Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf

In its judgment in the North Sea Continental Shelf cases, the International Court of Justice also refers to the Truman Proclamation

Kuwait is also party to the Protocol concerning Marine Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf.

8. Information on the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured shall be submitted by the coastal State to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf set up under Annex II on the basis of equitable geographical representation.

Article 2 of the Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf states that the coastal State exercises over the continental shelf sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources .

The Chairman of the Commission had invited representatives of GRID Arendal to make a presentation of its continental shelf facility.

Last year, Australia lodged with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf its submission on the outer limit of the shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline.

In accordance with the provisions of article 76, a Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf beyond 200 nautical miles shall be established in conformity with the following articles.

My delegation welcomes the progress made by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in considering the submissions of several coastal States.

In that regard, we would like to reiterate that India has the requisite expertise for assessment and mapping of the continental shelf.

Reaffirming the importance of the work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf ( the Commission ) for coastal States and the international community as a whole,

2. The continental shelf of a coastal State shall not extend beyond the limits provided for in paragraphs 4 to 6.

We also note with satisfaction the great work done by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

As the implementing mechanisms of the Convention, the International Seabed Authority, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf have all played important roles.

We are pleased with the attention given to the issues, such as maritime security, the sustainable management and conservation of marine living resources, and the work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

The procedure for the ratification of the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms located on the Continental Shelf has been initiated.

Of particular relevance to the present legal opinion is annex III, entitled Modus operandi for the consideration of a submission made to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf .

It is also a priority to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, given the constantly increasing number of applications it is receiving.

The Commission then further discussed the issues of workload for members of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and funding for its members attending meetings of subcommissions.

The Commission took note of the report, approving the recommendation of the Committee, and requested the secretariat to proceed accordingly.

With regard to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the omnibus draft resolution recognizes how important it is for States to exchange views in order to facilitate the preparation of submissions to the Commission.

1988 Protocol to the 10 March 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf

(i) Technical assistance should be provided in a manner that recognizes diverse legal systems and traditions while promoting the highest degree of international cooperation