Nixon Proposes Seabed Treaty

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32305, 25 May 1970, Page 15

Nixon Proposes Seabed Treaty

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 24. President Nixon has proposed an i ternational treaty to govern the exploration and exploitation of the world’s seabeds for oil and minerals for the common benefit of man.

He proposes that it should begin beyond an ocean depth of 656 feet, the general limit of the Continental Shelf, and that all royalties from the projects should be used internationally. A statement released by the White House says that two benefits are envisaged from such a treaty: the protection of the ocean from pollution, and the provision of funds for developing countries.

Mr Nixon said: “The issue arises now, and with urgency, because nations have grown increasingly conscious of the wealth to be exploited from the seabeds and throughout the waters above, and because they are also becoming apprehensive about ecological hazards of unregulated use of the oceans and seabeds.” . Because of the expected difficulties in negotiating a treaty on seabed resources, Mr Nixon proposes an interim policy. He suggests that all permits be subject to international rules and machinery, and that a substantial

portion of revenues from the exploitation be turned over to an appropriate international development agency. He has drawn attention to the related problem of harmonising conflicting claims to territorial waters that now

affect navigation and fishing rights. These claims generally extend from three to 12 miles, and could sabotage a seabed treaty if they went beyond a generally-accepted limit The United States is already seeking a treaty for a uniform 12-mile territorial limit, but this would allow for free transit through international straits within such a limit and for the conservation of coastal States’ fishing resources.

The proposed treaty would run head-on into claims by; some nations to territorial!

sea beyond the 12-mile limit. Nine Latin American countries have claimed 200 miles; one African nation, Guinea, claims 130 miles. More than 90 per cent of! the surface of the oceans lies! beyond the Continental Shelf.! Most of the minerals, however, are concentrated in the slope and rise beyond the shelf. These areas lie under about 10 per cent of the, ocean surfaces.