SADR DECLARES OFFSHORE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE
The Government of Western Sahara declared an offshore exclusive economic zone on 21 January 2009, making official its exclusive rights to the oil, gas and fisheries resources offshore of the territory of Western Sahara.
Formerly known as Spanish Sahara, the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has been recognised officially by over 80 countries, and is a full founding member of the African Union.
The 21 January declaration of a 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) confirms the SADRs jurisdiction over its offshore fisheries and mineral and petroleum seabed resources, as provided for under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The EEZ also provides the legal framework for the SADRs offshore licensing regime, which is currently receiving international bids for offshore oil and gas exploration activities.
21 January 2009