Submarine Ridges and Elevations of Article 76 in Light of Published Summaries of Recommendations of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

Abstract

Several of the summaries of recommendations of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf contain recommendations involving the application of the provisions of Article 76 of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea with respect to a class of morphological features that can best be described as seafloor highs. The application of these provisions requires the classification of such features into one of the three categories of seafloor highs: oceanic ridges of the deep ocean floor, submarine ridges, and submarine elevations that are natural components of the continental margin. The summaries of the CLCS recommendations provide guidance on the approach that has been adopted for the application of these provisions. Furthermore, the summaries give insight into the principles by which the CLCS is guided in considering the submerged prolongation of the landmass of a coastal state and the delineation of the outer limits of its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, and the importance of determining the foot of the continental slope at its base in this connection.