Australia lodges huge seabed claim

While some individuals are making millions on selling properties on the Moon (yes, MOON), which tells a lot about the intelligence ofthe buyers, Australia has a lodged a claim over 3.4 million square kilometres of ocean seabed, an area equal to half the Australian continental landmass. The claim is for seabed areas more than 200 nautical miles from the coastline. The Australian submission has been lodged with the United Nations. Under the UN Law of the Sea, a country can claim ownership of its seabed continental shelf even though it extends beyond the 200 nautical mile limit, which is normally the extent of sovereignty.

Australia's claim, potentially one of the largest in the world, is based on 10 years of maritime surveys to map the submerged landmass. Australia's submission will be examined next year by an international body of experts, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which makes a binding judgement. Australia is claiming the legal right to explore, exploit and conserve the seabed areas totalling 3.4 million square kilometres. Source: ABC News online

East Timor disputes Australia's claim to the Timor Sea bed to the end of Australia's continental shelf, which comes closer to the East Timor coast than Australia. East Timor argues that the border should run midway between the two countries. Jorge Teme, East Timor's ambassador in Canberra, said that because less than 400 nautical miles separates the two countries, "the principle that most applies is the median line," which he said should be the boundary.

The Australian submission to the United Nations will be examined by an international body of experts, the UN's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, starting early next year.
Downer's spokesman said Australia's withdrawal from the tribunal in 2002 would have no impact on this process. Source: International Herald Tribune.