borders between states are not only on land.They stretch across rivers, seas and oceans, as well as the airspace.Sea or ocean floor, which is adjacent to the coast, and is the property of the state.All minerals and other valuable items belong to the country that owns the territory.The Russian Federation has a large coastline, respectively, and maritime territory belonging to it, is very extensive.
Determination
Geographically, the continental shelf - a continental territory, flooded by sea or ocean.If more precise - an underwater part of the land, which is adjacent to it and has a similar geological structure.From a legal point of view, the continental shelf is the seabed with his bowels, which adjoins the one hand to the shore, and the other reaches a depth of 200 meters.
In some cases, the depth of the seabed up to 500 meters and more, as there is one restriction.International law is determined, at which the underwater geological extension of the length of the continent which can have the bottom portion.For all countries, the disposal of which has a continental shelf boundary runs along the isobath or edge, which connects the sharp bends of the seabed.This area can not in the possession of a certain state.
legal definition
shelf, used by States not coincide with the boundaries of territorial waters.In this case, international law determine which country can use the continental shelf.In addition, development, protection and commercial activities related to the sea floor, determined by the laws of the state.The continental shelf of the Russian Federation is subject to the Law 187-FZ "On the continental shelf of the Russian Federation."According to him, the state has the right to use the sea or ocean floor extending from the surf line 200 nautical miles.
Why shelves, hidden water
When nature created the seas, oceans or mountains, it does not take into account the future needs of humanity.As it turned out, a lot of natural wealth is concentrated in the formation, which is covered by water.On land, too many minerals, but mining and processing are accelerated every year, and stocks are not limitless.
Russian continental shelf contains up to 70% of the natural resources of the state.Some of them are already actively exploited, some are preparing for development.By natural resources include minerals, mineral resources, as well as living organisms that are on the seabed and using it for transportation.
Regulation exploitation of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation
All the seabed, which used actors of the state, is protected under the laws of the Russian Federation and the provisions of the Law of the Sea.So, the continental shelf can be used for the following purposes:
- marine scientific research.
- exploration of mineral resources of the seabed.
- dumping by various types of seabed and strata.
exclusive rights to research and development of the continental shelf of the country has only owner.All actions of any part of the subject on the ocean floor, belonging to the Russian Federation, should be performed only by special permission.This means that if Russia decides not to conduct any investigations or burial, the other States can not occupy this territory and use it on your own.All actions apply only to the seabed, rights to use the water resources of the continental shelf, which is beyond the limits of territorial waters, the country does not.
new ownership RF
For each section of the seabed in the world of being a kind of a struggle.In 2014, the Russian Federation has expanded its ownership.The continental shelf of the coast of the Crimea plan to actively develop and explore.His discharge of the Russian Federation to happen automatically as a result of the signing of the accession of the Republic of Crimea.On this occasion, there are mixed views - not all politicians in Ukraine recognize the legitimacy of this event.Anyway, now the Russian shelf.
second acquisition was the continental shelf of the Okhotsk Sea.In March 2014 the UN Commission recognized the right of Russia to use this underwater area.
Today the executive power of the Russian Federation is preparing another application for recognition of the rights to the enjoyment of the continental shelf in the Arctic.Indicative deadlines - autumn 2014.While the said territory under investigation, which are designed to prove that the bottom portion is a continuation of the continent.
