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UK submits Atlantic seabed claim UK submits Atlantic seabed claim
(about 4 hours later)
Britain is laying claim to more than 200,000 square kilometres of mineral-rich seabed in the Atlantic Ocean. The UK is laying claim to more than 200,000 square kilometres of mineral-rich seabed in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Foreign Office confirmed a formal bid for the area surrounding Ascension Island has been submitted to the United Nations.The Foreign Office confirmed a formal bid for the area surrounding Ascension Island has been submitted to the United Nations.
The UN Commission for the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) will review the claim in August.The UN Commission for the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) will review the claim in August.
No other countries are expected to challenge the bid.No other countries are expected to challenge the bid.
A Foreign Office spokesman said the claim is part of an attempt to establish the limits of continental shelf boundaries and does not mean an extension of "territorial sovereignty".A Foreign Office spokesman said the claim is part of an attempt to establish the limits of continental shelf boundaries and does not mean an extension of "territorial sovereignty".
He confirmed the bid was for seabed beyond 200 nautical miles of Ascension Island - a dependency of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena. It is located just south of the equator in the South Atlantic Ocean. He confirmed the bid was for seabed beyond 200 nautical miles of Ascension Island - a dependency of the British overseas territory of St Helena. It is located just south of the equator in the South Atlantic Ocean.
'Other submissions''Other submissions'
He added doing this is perfectly acceptable under international law and it is the second attempt in two years by Britain to stake a claim for parts of the seabed. He added doing this is perfectly acceptable under international law and it is the second attempt in two years by the UK to stake a claim for parts of the seabed.
We do not expect any other state to dispute this submission Foreign Office spokesmanWe do not expect any other state to dispute this submission Foreign Office spokesman
In 2006, the UK made a joint claim with France, Ireland and Spain for an area in the Bay of Biscay.In 2006, the UK made a joint claim with France, Ireland and Spain for an area in the Bay of Biscay.
The spokesman said: "This is the first submission in respect of an overseas territory.The spokesman said: "This is the first submission in respect of an overseas territory.
"Ascension Island is a dependency of St. Helena, and the UK is responsible for submitting any such claims in respect of its overseas territories.""Ascension Island is a dependency of St. Helena, and the UK is responsible for submitting any such claims in respect of its overseas territories."
The UK is also considering whether to make similar claims relating to two other areas, around Rockall and the Falklands but has until May next year to inform the CLCS of its intentions.The UK is also considering whether to make similar claims relating to two other areas, around Rockall and the Falklands but has until May next year to inform the CLCS of its intentions.
Last year, exploration firms announced their intention to begin drilling the South Atlantic ocean bed surrounding the Falklands to try to prove the region is rich in oil reserves.
Other countries including Canada and Barbados have also begun laying claim to various parts of the continental shelf beneath the world's oceans.Other countries including Canada and Barbados have also begun laying claim to various parts of the continental shelf beneath the world's oceans.
Nation states are allowed to apply to extend their territorial rights over the seabed up to 350 miles from any adjacent coastline.Nation states are allowed to apply to extend their territorial rights over the seabed up to 350 miles from any adjacent coastline.