Upstream Online
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Somalia was given until May 2009 to submit documentation of the extent of its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its coastline, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Developing countries that face particular challenges in collecting data may submit preliminary information indicative of the outer limits of their continental shelf to meet the deadline.
The final document does not map specific limits of Somalia’s shelf but states that Somalia believes it has claims to areas beyond 200 nautical miles and any submissions from neighboring states should be made without prejudice to future Somali claims.
The Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic and the president approved the document on 6 April following meetings in Mogadishu.
Somalia is the first African country to submit a preliminary delineation.