Delineation process of the extended continental shelf: an interpretation of article 76, paragraph 6, of UNCLOS

Resumen

The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea established specific

rules for the delineation of the outer limit of the continental shelf in Article 76. This

Article contains two formulae and two constraints. Regarding these constraints, the coastal

State can apply, whichever is more favorable to its claim, unless the exception established

under Article 76 (6), first sentence, applies. This exception establishes that, on submarine

ridges, the State can only apply the 350 nautical miles distance constraint. However, Article

76 (6), second sentence, introduces a counter-exception and preserves the State’s right to apply

either constraint when the seafloor high is a submarine elevation that is a natural component

of the continental margin.