UK makes Atlantic sea bed claim

Britain is to formally present its case to the UN in New York for extending its territorial rights around Ascension Island in the South Atlantic.

States have rights over their resources – including oil or gas reserves – up to 200 nautical miles from the shoreline.



But the UK wants to extend those rights around Ascension on the grounds that the island’s landmass actually reaches much further underwater.

Experts say that fewer than half of the world’s maritime boundaries have been agreed and there is significant potential for conflict where more than one country submits claims to overlapping areas.

Britain is also said to be considering making a similar claim around the Falkland Islands, where it is thought there could be significant reserves of oil and gas.

BBC