Mapping in Support of Mapping in Support of Law of the SeaLaw of the Sea

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center

University of New Hampshire, USA

A presentation on A presentation on

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to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling CommissionCommission

Larry Mayer and Andy Armstrong

UN Law of the Sea TreatyUN Law of the Sea Treaty

• A coastal nation may claim sovereignty over A coastal nation may claim sovereignty over the seabed and subsoil (including the seabed and subsoil (including environmental protection) of the continental environmental protection) of the continental margin beyond their current 200 n.m. margin beyond their current 200 n.m. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under Article Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOSLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS) )

• if… the shape of the seafloor meets certain if… the shape of the seafloor meets certain criteriacriteria

• thethe 2500 m (~8250 ft) depth line (contour)2500 m (~8250 ft) depth line (contour)

• the “foot of the slope” – (~13,000 – 16,000 the “foot of the slope” – (~13,000 – 16,000 ft)ft)

http://www.ccom.unh.edu

U.S. Law of the Sea U.S. Law of the Sea MappingMapping

Leadline Single Beam Echo Sounder Multibeam Echo Sounder

Measuring the shape of the Measuring the shape of the seafloor seafloor

A new perspective A new perspective new new insightsinsights

Beringian MarginBeringian Margin

Beringian MarginBeringian Margin

Gulf of AlaskaGulf of Alaska

Gulf of AlaskaGulf of Alaska

Chukchi CapChukchi Cap

USCG HEALYUSCG HEALY

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~2000 n.m ~2000 n.m of of

multibeam multibeam echosoundeechosounde

r r bathymetrybathymetry

8/10 ice8/10 ice

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~4000 nm~4000 nm ofof

multibeam multibeam echosounderechosounder

10/10 ice10/10 ice

Redefinition of the 2500 m contour

Discovery and Mapping Discovery and Mapping of a Major Seamountof a Major Seamount

Healy Healy SeamountSeamount

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17 Aug. 0717 Aug. 07Return BarrowReturn Barrow

15 Sept. 0715 Sept. 07

Additional Additional science:science:

1- current studies1- current studies2- deployment of 2- deployment of ice monitoring ice monitoring buoysbuoys3- knowledge of 3- knowledge of seafloor shape seafloor shape critical for climate critical for climate modelingmodeling