Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
(CLCS)
The continental shelf
The definition
of the continental shelf and criteria for the establishment of its outer limits
The definition of the continental shelf and the criteria by which a coastal
State may establish the outer limits of its continental shelf are set out in
article 76 of the Convention. In addition, the Third United Nations Conference
on the Law of the Sea (the "Conference") adopted on 29 August 1980 a
"Statement of Understanding" which is contained in Annex II to the Final Act of the
Conference.
The term "continental shelf" is used by geologists generally to
mean that part of the continental margin which is between the shoreline and the
shelf break or, where there is no noticeable slope, between the shoreline and
the point where the depth of the superjacent water is approximately between 100
and 200 metres. However, this term is used in article 76 as a juridical term.
According to the Convention, the continental shelf of a coastal State comprises
the submerged prolongation of the land territory of the coastal State - the
seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea
to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical
miles where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that
distance. The continental margin consists of the seabed and subsoil of the
shelf, the slope and the rise. It does not include the deep ocean floor with its
oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof .
According to article
76, the coastal State may establish the outer limits of its juridical
continental shelf wherever the continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical
miles by establishing the foot of the continental slope, by meeting the
requirements of
article 76, paragraphs 4 - 7, of the Convention (see
also figure).
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