Continental shelves in the Antarctic region: implications for resource management

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper will focus on the interaction between the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Antarctic Treaty System, particularly the tensions and interplay between these two governance structures in relation to territorial sovereignty over continental shelves and extended continental shelves within the Antarctic Treaty area. Given the wealth of mineral resources buried within these shelves and the extremely fragile nature of the Antarctic ecosystem, this paper outlines what legal parameters were in place regarding state sovereignty. The submissions of Australia, Argentina and the United Kingdom to the Commission for the Limits of the Continental Shelf will be outlined and contrasted alongside the notes verbales lodged following their submission. Finally, the paper will highlight how the form of CLCS submission of each state could impact their resource management potentials in the future concluding with what suggestions could be made for the yet to be finalised, Chilean submission.