Svalbard's Maritime Zones: The End of Legal Uncertainty?

Abstract This paper argues that Norway, by fixing the extension of the continental shelf around the Svalbard archipelago according to criteria set by the Law of the Sea Convention, may see an end to some of the legal controversies regarding the maritime zones around Svalbard. The process of determin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law
Main Authors: Pedersen, Torbjørn, Henriksen, Tore
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Published: Brill 2009
Subjects:
Law
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157180808x353920
https://brill.com/view/journals/estu/24/1/article-p141_4.xml
https://brill.com/downloadpdf/journals/estu/24/1/article-p141_4.xml
Description
Summary:Abstract This paper argues that Norway, by fixing the extension of the continental shelf around the Svalbard archipelago according to criteria set by the Law of the Sea Convention, may see an end to some of the legal controversies regarding the maritime zones around Svalbard. The process of determining the outer limits of the continental shelf area adjacent to Svalbard is adduced as supporting the view that Norway is entitled to establish maritime zones around the archipelago, including an exclusive economic zone. It does not settle whether the provisions of the Svalbard Treaty apply to such zones, but is adduced as supporting the view that Norway may exercise coastal state jurisdiction in these areas.