LOS 1

UNCLOS divides entities of the sea into 4 categories. What are they?

• Island, rock, low-tide elevation, artificial island

• Rock, low-tide elevation, continental slope, high sea

• Island, rock, coastline, artificial island

• Low-tide elevation, continental slope, artificial island, high sea

An “Island" must be:

• A naturally formed creation

• Surrounded by water

• Above water at high tide

• All of the above are correct

 According to the Oxford Dictionary, what is terra firma?

• A land

• A dry land

• A natural land

• A floating land

What is an artificial island?

• A naturally occurring island that has been eroded by waves

• An island formed entirely through human construction or land reclamation

• A small islet or sandbar that appears due to natural processes

• A large island formed from volcanic activity

What is an archipelago?

• A large island

• A group of  islands

• A peninsula

• A submerged landmass

What is the main purpose of the archipelagic waters concept in UNCLOS?

• Define the territorial waters of island nations

• Regulate fishing rights in island archipelagos

• Define the continental shelf limits for island nations

• Establish a special legal regime for island groups forming a single country

What are the rights and obligations of an archipelagic state within its archipelagic waters?

•  Archipelagic waters are completely closed to foreign ships and aircraft.

• An archipelagic state has full sovereignty over its archipelagic waters, similar to territorial waters.

• Foreign ships have unrestricted right of passage through archipelagic waters.

• An archipelagic state can only exploit resources within its archipelagic waters.

How many types of archipelagic states?

• 3 types: coastal, non-coastal and archipelagic states

• 1. 2 types: one archipelago and more than one archipelagos and may include other islands

• 1 types: a archipelago and other islands

• None of the above

What is the main difference between a canal and an international strait under UNCLOS?

• Canals are always artificial waterways, while straits are natural formations.

• International straits connect two areas of the high seas/ EEZ, whilst canals might connect different maritime zones.

• Only straits can be used for international navigation.

• There is no legal distinction between canals and straits in UNCLOS.

What are the legal status of international straits under UNCLOS Article 38, 39?:

1. (1) Vessels and aircraft are all entitled to unobstructed transit

3. (2) Vessels and aircraft are obliged to pass without delay through or over the strait

5. (3) Vessels and aircraft are obliged to refrain from any activities other than those incident to their normal modes of continuous and expeditious transit

7. (4) Vessels and aircraft are obliged to refrain from any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of States bordering the strait, or in any other manner in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations; between a canal and an international strait under UNCLOS?

• (1) and (4)

• (1), (2) and (4)

• (2) and (4)

• (3) and (4)