Page 136 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA
however, highly migratory species of fish and marine mammals
are accorded special protection.
• Coastal States have sovereign rights over the Continental Shelf
(the national area of the seabed) for exploring and exploiting
it and the shelf can extend at least 200nm from the shore and
more under specified circumstances.
• Coastal States share with the international community part of
the revenue derived from exploiting resources from any part
of their shelf beyond 200nm.
• The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
shall make recommendations to States on the shelf’s outer
boundaries when it extends beyond 200nm.
• All States enjoy the traditional freedom of navigation, over
flight, scientific research and fishing on the high seas and
they are obliged to adopt, or cooperate with other States in
adopting, measures to manage and conserve living resources.
• The limits of the territorial sea, the EEZ and Continental Shelf
of islands are determined in accordance with rules applicable
to land territory, but rocks which could not sustain human
habitation or economic life of their own would have no
economic zone or continental shelf.
• States bordering enclosed or semi-enclosed seas are expected
to cooperate in managing living resources, environmental and
research policies and activities.
• Land-locked States have the right of access to and from the sea
and enjoy freedom of transit through the territory of Transit
States.
• States are bound to prevent and control marine pollution and
are liable for damage caused by violation of their international
obligations to combat such pollution.
• All marine scientific research in the EEZ and on the Continental
Shelf is subject to the consent of the Coastal State, but in most
cases they are obliged to grant consent to other States when
the research is to be conducted for peaceful purposes and
fulfils specified criteria.

118 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea