Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

12.   Rights in respect of exclusive economic zone and continental shelf

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   (1)   Saint Lucia has and may exercise in respect of the exclusive economic zone—

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      (a)     sovereign rights—

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         (i)     for the purpose of the exploration for, and the exploitation, conservation and management of, resources of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and subsoil, and

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         (ii)     for the production of energy from the waters, currents and winds;

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      (b)     jurisdiction with regard to—

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         (i)     the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations and structures,

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         (ii)     marine scientific research, and

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         (iii)     the protection and preservation of the marine environment;

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      (c)     the exclusive right to construct and to authorise and regulate the construction, operation and use of—

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         (i)     artificial islands,

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         (ii)     installations and structures for the purposes provided for under paragraph (a) or any other economic purposes, and

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         (iii)     installations and structures which may interfere with the exercise by Saint Lucia of rights in respect of the exclusive economic zone; and

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      (d)     the exclusive right to regulate, authorise and conduct marine scientific research.

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   (2)   Saint Lucia has and may exercise in respect of the continental shelf—

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      (a)     sovereign rights for the purpose of the exploration for, and the exploitation, conservation and management of, natural resources;

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      (b)     the exclusive right to construct and to authorise and regulate the construction, operation and use of—

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         (i)     artificial islands,

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         (ii)     installations and structures for the purposes provided for under paragraph (a) or any other economic purposes, and

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         (iii)     installations and structures which may interfere with the exercise by Saint Lucia of rights in respect of the continental shelf; and

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      (c)     the exclusive right to regulate, authorise and conduct marine scientific research.

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   (3)   In the exercise of jurisdiction and rights under subsection (1) in respect of the exclusive economic zone, Saint Lucia shall have due regard to the rights and duties of foreign States and shall act in a manner compatible with international law.

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   (4)   In the exercise of—

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      (a)     rights under subsection (1)(a)(i) in respect of the seabed and subsoil of the exclusive economic zone; or

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      (b)     rights under subsection (2)(a) in respect of the continental shelf,

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   Saint Lucia shall not infringe or unjustifiably interfere with rights of navigation or other rights and freedom of foreign States, under international law.

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   (5)   The sovereign rights conferred by this section in respect of the continental shelf shall be deemed always to have been vested in Saint Lucia.

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   (6)   In subsection (2)(a), “natural resources” means mineral and other non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms belonging to sedentary species, that is to say, organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in constant physical contact with the seabed or subsoil.