Territorial Claims and Coastal States

The chapter analyses the controversial issue of the legitimacy of the claims over Antarctic marine areas. In particular, the declaration of EEZ and extension of Continental Shelf, made in accordance with international law of the sea, may appear to be in conflict with the object and purpose of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. States' need of natural resources may raise disputes between the 7 States claiming sovereignty rights over Antarctic territories and other countries that consider the South Pole as an area of interest for the humankind as a whole.