164 



this we would be in a rational position to know how to defend U.S. 

 interests in whatever forum we find ourselves. 



Mr. FiisTDLEY. Dr. Cain, can you tell me if any nation has in recent 

 years attempted to establish its authority over the seabed beyond the 

 'l2-mile limit? 



Dr. Cain. The authority over the seabed by the Geneva agreement 

 worked out in 1958 gives a nation control over its contiguous conti- 

 nental shelf to the defined depth of 200 meters. 



Mr. FiNDLEY. Beyond that 200-meter limit has any nation tried to 

 establish 



Dr. Cain. Then it gets a little fuzzy because it says if deeper tech- 

 nology permits. In other words, in the Geneva Conference they found 

 it impossible to settle the very question you have raised. It is still open. 



Mr. FiNDLEY. No nation to your knowledge has attempted to estab- 

 lish authority beyond that 200 



Dr. Cain. Beyond the continental shelf, none that I know of. 



Mr. Fascell. Hasn't the United States in effect established a claim 

 in one way or another — at least it could be interpreted that way — be- 

 yond the 200-meter line ? 



Dr. Cain. Mr. Terry has pointed out where we have issued oil leases 

 or phosphorus leases, or whatever, at a greater depth than the 200 

 meters, the one case I think I explained because it was clearly conti- 

 nental shelf although it had deepwater places within it. 



Actually, as to the actual geographic situation where oil leases have 

 been issued in a thousand feet of water, I don't know where that is. 



Mr. Fascell. Would you provide that for the record, because we 

 have an obviously interesting problem confronting us with respect to 

 the definition under the international convention of what the U.S. 

 position would be. If the United States has taken a position which 

 amounts to a definition of the ambiguity that exists under the interna- 

 tional convention, then obviously other countries will take similar or 

 conflicting positions. 



Since the language is subject to interpretation and definition, one 

 of the important factors in an ultimate redefinition will be what the 

 United States has done, if anything, in the meantime. One of such 

 actions could be whether or not we have actually granted leases beyond 

 the continental shelf. 



Dr. Cain. We will do that. 



(The information requested follows :) 



Department of the Interior Leases for Depths of More Than 200 Meters 



leases (5,760 acres area) issued at greater depth than 200 meters 



Off the coast of Northern Oregon — to Shell Oil Company, issued December 1, 

 1964 with a .5-year primary term, for oil and gas exploration and exploitation : 

 P-06.5 — 30 miles from shore in about 1,500' of water 

 P-066 — ^32 miles from shore in about 1,500' of water 

 P-067 — 32 miles from shore in about 1,500' of water 

 Off the coast of Northern California — to Shell Oil Company, issued July 1, 

 1963, no longer active, for oil and gas exploration and exploitation : 

 P-022— 12 miles from shore in about 500-1,100' of water 

 P-028 — 15 miles from shore in about 1,2,00' of water 



