1. Issues in Political Geography
Law of the Sea

2. Territorial Seas From Human Geography, 7th Edition –de Blij/Murphy
National claims to adjacent waters originated in Europe in 14th Century
Definition of territorial seas?
First definitions centered on the distance a cannonball could be fired - A ship in range of a cannonball was in territorial waters
Problem with this measure?
This led to varied definitions – 3, 4 and 6 miles
League of Nations starts discussion of definition of territorial seas in 20th Century

3. Truman Proclamation – 1945 Two separate proclamations which defined modern territorial seas and Law of the Sea
1. U.S. would henceforth regulate fishing activities of the high seas adjacent to its coastlines – all else is free/open
2. U.S. regards the natural resources of SEABED and SUBSOIL of the continental shelf beneath the high seas but contiguous to the coasts of the U.S.
Subject to the jurisdiction and control of the U.S. government to the 12-mile and 600-foot isobath limits
High seas above the continental shelf would remain open

4. What is a Continental Shelf. http://www. ri

5. Anatomy of a Continental Shelf http://www. britannica. com

6. Still another view of boundaries http://geo-boundaries. blogspot

9. Continental Shelf & Truman Proclamation
Underscored unequal distribution of C.S. – U.S. east coast
US gained 2.5 M sq/km of offshore territory
other countries began to follow suit – Mexico first
Chile and Peru claimed 200 miles
Why these two countries?

11. Why are Continental Shelves important. http://en. wikipedia

12. United Nations Conference on Law of the Sea - UNCLOS
UNCLOS I – 1958 – formed the framework for L o S issues, but nothing came of it
UNCLOS II – 1960 – it, too was unsuccessful
UNCLOS III – – ended with only 4 states opposed to it – U.S. one of them
157 states signed on within two years

13. UNCLOS III – Key Provisions
Territorial Seas - permits states to delimit territory up to 12 miles and sovereignty extends in all forms in this zone
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – state has economic rights up to 200 nautical miles (just over 230 statute miles) – right to control exploration/exploitation of natural resources in the water, seabed and subsoil below. This means fish, minerals on the seafloor, oil, etc. all belong to the state. If CS extends beyond 200 nm from the shore, the coastal state can go up to 350 nm from shore
Common Heritage Clause - Minerals belong to “humankind” and their exploitation is subject to UN management. This clause to benefit “Geographically Disadvantaged States.”

14. Dark Blue = Parties, dually represented by the European Union
  Pink = Signatories
  Red = Non-parties

15. International Waters

16. http://www. peacepalacelibrary

17. Median Line Principle First, where is this, geographers?
First, where is this, geographers?
What happens when two or more states are not 400 miles apart?

18. Or, divide it like the North Sea countries did

19. Here is this map again… http://southchinaseastudies.org

20. More boundary claims http://www. infobarrel

21. Key terms and concepts Territorial Seas Truman Proclamation
Seabed and Subsoil
12 mile & 600 ft isobath
Continental Shelf
Examples of countries with large, productive continental shelves
UNCLOS I, II and III
EEZs
Common Heritage Clause
Geographically Disadvantaged States
Median Line Principle
Innocent Passage
Marine Protected Area

22. International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Cat
International Union for the Conservation of Nature  Ia
Strict nature reserve A marine reserve usually connotes "maximum protection", where all resource removals are strictly prohibited. In countries such as Kenya and Belize, marine reserves allow for low-risk removals to sustain local communities. Ib
Wilderness area II
National park Marine parks emphasize the protection of ecosystems but allow light human use. A marine park may prohibit fishing or extraction of resources, but allow recreation. Some marine parks, such as those in Tanzania, are zoned and allow activities such as fishing only in low risk areas.
III
Natural monuments or features Established to protect historical sites such as shipwrecks and cultural sites such as aboriginal fishing grounds. IV
Habitat/species management area Established to protect a certain species, to benefit fisheries, rare habitat, as spawning/nursing grounds for fish, or to protect entire ecosystems. V
Protected seascape Limited active management, as with protected landscapes. VI
Sustainable use of natural resources

23. QUESTIONS