From: [Name supplied] on behalf of Boot, Geoffrey (MHK)
Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged
Dear Ms Costain,
At the January sitting of Tynwald I committed to provide a further response in relation to an Exclusive Economic Zone, I can advise as follows:
The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of a State is provided for under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which the UK ratified in 1997 and which was extended to the Isle of Man at that time. The EEZ extends from the baselines out to (no more than) 200 miles.
Amongst other rights, in the exclusive economic zone, the coastal State has “sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents and winds”
The UK has a right to an EEZ under UNCLOS because it is a sovereign (coastal) Contracting State Party. As far as international law is concerned, we, the Channel Islands and Overseas Territories are part of the UK State Party. We have no separate right to an EEZ under UNCLOS. Therefore, at this time, no further consideration is being given to pursuing an EEZ.
Kind Regards
Geoffrey
Hon. Geoffrey Boot MHK Minister Department of Environment Food Agriculture Member of the House of Keys for Glenfaba & Peel Member of Isle of Man Parliament Tynwald
Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John's, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tynwald: 01624 685485 Mobile: 07624 381497 [email protected]
1