For the purpose of these articles, the term „continental shelf” is used as referring
(a) to the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas adjacent to the coast but outside
the area of the territorial sea, to a depth of 200 metres or, beyond that limit, to
where the depth of the superjacent waters admits of the exploitation of the natural
resources of the said areas; (b) to the seabed and subsoil of similar submarine areas adjacent to the coasts of islands.
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2 The rights referred to in paragraph 1 of this article are exclusive in the sence that
if the coastal State does not explore the continental shelf or exploit its natural
resources, no one may undertake these activities, or make a claim to the continental
shelf, without the express consent of the coastal State.
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4 The natural resources referred to in these articles consist of the mineral and other
non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms belonging
to sedentary species, that is to say, organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either
are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in constant physical
contact with the seabed or the subsoil.
The rights of the coastal State over the continental shelf do not affect the legal
status of the superjacent waters as high seas, or that of the airspace above those
waters.
Subject to its right to take reasonable measures for the exploration of the continental
shelf and the exploitation of its natural resources, the coastal State may not impede
the laying or maintenance of submarine cables or pipe lines on the continental shelf.
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1 The exploration of the continental shelf and the exploitation of its natural resources
must not result in any unjustifiable interference with navigation, fishing or the
conservation of the living resources of the sea, nor result in any interference with
fundamental oceanographic or other scientific research carried out with the intention
of open publication.
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2 Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 6 of this article, the coastal State
is entitled to construct and maintain or operate on the continental shelf installations
and other devices necessary for its exploration and the exploitation of its natural
resources, and to establish safety zones around such installations and devices and
to take in those zones measures necessary for their protection.
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4 Such installations and devices, though under the jurisdiction of the coastal State,
do not possess the status of islands. They have no territorial sea of their own, and
their presence does not affect the delimitation of the territorial sea of the coastal
State.
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8 The consent of the coastal State shall be obtained in respect of any research concerning
the continental shelf and undertaken there. Nevertheless the coastal State shall not
normally withhold its consent if the request is submitted by a qualified institution
with a view to purely scientific research into the physical or biological characteristics
of the continental shelf, subject to the proviso that the coastal State shall have
the right, if it so desires, to participate or to be represented in the research,
and that in any event the results shall be published.
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1 Where the same continental shelf is adjacent to the territories of two or more States
whose coasts are opposite each other, the boundary of the continental shelf appertaining
to such States shall be determined by agreement between them. In the absence of agreement,
and unless another boundary line is justified by special circumstances, the boundary
is the median line, every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points of
the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea of each State is measured.
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2 Where the same continental shelf is adjacent to the territories of two adjacent States,
the boundary of the continental shelf shall be determined by agreement between them.
In the absence of agreement, and unless another boundary line is justified by special
circumstances, the boundary shall be determined by application of the principle of
equidistance from the nearest points of the baselines from which the breadth of the
territorial sea of each State is measured.
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3 In delimiting the boundaries of the continental shelf, any lines which are drawn in
accordance with the principles set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article should
be defined with reference to charts and geographical features as they exist at a particular
date, and reference should be made to fixed permanent identifiable points on the land.
The provisions of these articles shall not prejudice the right of the coastal State
to exploit the subsoil by means of tunnelling irrespective of the depth of water above
the subsoil.
This Convention shall, until 31 October 1958, be open for signature by all States
Members of the United Nations or of any of the specialized agencies, and by any other
State invited by the General Assembly of the United Nations to become a Party to the
Convention.
This Convention is subject to ratification. The instruments of ratification shall
be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
This Convention shall be open for accession by any States belonging to any of the
categories mentioned in article 8. The instruments of accession shall be deposited
with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
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1 After the expiration of a period of five years from the date on which this Convention
shall enter into force, a request for the revision of this Convention may be made
at any time by any Contracting Party by means of a notification in writing addressed
to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all States Members of the
United Nations and the other States referred to in article 8:
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(a) Of signatures to this Convention and of the deposit of instruments of ratification
or accession, in accordance with articles 8, 9 and 10;
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(b) Of the date on which this Convention will come into force in accordance with article
11;
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(c) Of requests for revision in accordance with article 13;
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(d) Of reservations to this Convention, in accordance with article 12.
The original of this Convention, of which the Chinese, English, French, Russian and
Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General
of the United Nations, who shall send certified copies thereof to all States referred
to in article 8.
