exclusive economic zone

Question 1

continental shelf

Answer 1

The boundary of a continent is not its coastline, but the edge of the continental shelf that lies under the ocean.
Even though it is underwater, continental shelf is part of the continent and contains the sea-bed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond the territorial sea.
Coastal nations have control of all resources on or under it, living or not, but no control over any living organisms above the shelf that are beyond its exclusive economic zone.

Question 2

Exclusive economic zone

Answer 2

An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a sea-zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), over which a coastal state has sovereign rights to explore and exploit, conserve and manage its natural resources.
It stretches from the seaward edge of the state’s territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles (nm). When two (or more) state’s coastal baselines are less than 400 nm apart, overlap of EEZs occurs and it is up to the states to delineate the actual maritime boundary.
Territorial waters or territorial sea, as defined by the UNCLOS of 1982 (Art 3), is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nm from the baseline of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state.

Question 3

Rights of the coastal State over the continental shelf

Answer 3

The coastal State exercises over the continental shelf sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources.
The rights referred to in paragraph 1 are exclusive in the sense that if the coastal State does not explore the continental shelf or exploit its natural resources, no one may undertake these activities without the express consent of the coastal State.
The rights of the coastal State over the continental shelf do not depend on occupation, effective or notional, or on any express proclamation.
The natural resources referred to in this Part consist of the mineral and other non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms

Question 4

Article 87-Freedom of the high seas

Answer 4

The high seas are open to all States, whether coastal or land-locked. Freedom of the high seas is exercised under the conditions laid down by this Convention and by other rules of international law. It comprises, inter alia, both for coastal and land-locked States:

1. freedom of navigation
2. freedom of overflight
3. freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines,
4. freedom to construct artificial islands and other installations permitted under international law,
5. freedom of fishing
6. freedom of scientific research

Question 5

Rights, jurisdiction and duties of the coastal State in the exclusive economic zone In the exclusive economic zone, the coastal State has jurisdiction :

Answer 5

the exploration, utilization and management of all natural resources, the waters, the sea bed and the soil underneath the sea bed • the production of energy
• the utilization of man made islands, installations and structures
• scientific research
• the protection of the environment and
• all rights and duties provided by the UN Convention.