Summary

This is a theoretical and practical course dealing with the scientific, technical and legal aspects necessary to determine the outer limit of the continental shelf.

Learning outcomes 

The course will provide the necessary tools to understand, from an interdisciplinary point of view, the provisions of UNCLOS for the determination of the outer limit of the continental shelf. It will consider the different stages of the process, starting from the analysis of Article 76 of the Convention, the development of the work plan, the acquisition and processing of data and the interpretation to arrive at the determination of the outer limit points and their presentation.

At the end of this course, the student should be able to design a rigorous work plan for the elaboration of the submission of the outer limit of the continental shelf of any coastal State for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

Target audience 

The course is intended for graduates, postgraduate students, professionals (law of the sea, ocean scientists), decision-makers, researchers and government officials involved in ocean issues.

Course content

1) The continental shelf as a natural extension of the continent. Developments. The outer limit of the continental shelf according to Article 76 of UNCLOS. Rights of the coastal State over the continental shelf.

2) Elaboration of the work plan. Desk study. Campaign planning. Acquisition and processing of different types of data: gravimetric, geophysical and bathymetric. Requirements in terms of precision, equipment Campaign sheets Definition of the geodetic reference system. Data base assembly. 

3) Determination of the Slope Foot by maximum gradient change and by counter test. Filtering and smoothing methods. Application of the 60 nautical mile and 1% of sediment thickness formulae and the application of the 350 nautical mile and 100 nautical mile restrictions from the 2500 metre isobath. Determination of the fixed points of the outer limit of the continental shelf.

4) Mapping. Preparation of the submission to the CLCS. Executive Summary, Main Body and Data.

5) The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS): membership, functioning of the Commission.  Procedure for the analysis of submissions. Interaction between States and CLCS: Examples of submissions and Recommendations. Experiences at the analysis stage.

Instructors/Trainers Entrenadores

• Frida M. Armas Pfirter, Dra. en Derecho (Area D. Internacional Publico). Profesora
• Paula M. Vernet, Profesora Derecho Internacional Público
• Marcelo Paterlini, Geofísico,  miembro de la Comisión de Límites de la Plataforma Continental (CLPC)
• Yanina Berbeglia, Geóloga
• Martín Eugenio de Isasi, Hidrógrafo
• Juan Bautista Allegrino, Oceanógrafo
• Lucila Dalmau, Oceanógrafa
• Marcelo Ancarola, Ingeniero Geógrafo
• Edgardo Augusto Monteros, GIS
• Marina Uviedo (interpreter)

Language

English

Pre-course Activities or Assessment

No

Learner assessment

In order to obtain the course certificate, it will be required to watch the all the pre-recorded lectures and successfully complete the assessment tools (quizzes and assignments).

Pre-requisites:

• Language and computer skills required (Applicants are expected to have):
  • a good working knowledge of English
  • basic computer skills
• Technology requirements (to complete this course, participants should have access to):
  • Computer with Windows or Mac operating system
  • Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
  • Access to stable internet
  • Speakers and microphone or headset