Ahead of the Curve: GRID-Arendal Annual Report 2016

Ocean Governance and Geological Resources The extended continental shelf story continues

For many developing countries, finalizing their outer limit of their maritime boundaries is a complex process. Lodging a submission for what is termed the “extended continental shelf” with the United Nations completes the first phase of the process, but then countries have to defend their claim.

GRID-Arendal is working with partners, including the United States Geological Survey and Geoscience Australia, to develop tools to help states with their defense. Our initiative provides a way to examine the decisions of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. This is the group that assesses the claims made by coastal states and it is important that it gets the right information in a timely fashion. GRID-Arendal is compiling this information in a searchable website that includes commentary and analysis that allows states to keep up to date and use previous decisions to strengthen their own case prior to examination.

Members of the newPacific Fisheries Data ExchangeWorking Group.

Miners heading up to the La Rinconada tunnels in the high mountains tramp on polluted slush flowing from the mines and pass mounds of rubbish. Photo ©Gina Nemirofsky

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