Department of Ocean Development is the nodal agency for implementation of the provisions of United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in India. UNCLOS is an important instrument which establishes the framework and mechanisms for management of oceans.

With the agreement relating to part XI of the UNCLOS coming into force, Registered Pioneer Investors were required to submit their plans of work for approval of the Authority. India's application for approval of the plan of work has been submitted and considered by the Legal and Technical Commission and thereafter approved by the Council of the Authority in 1997. A formal contract will be issued by the Authority as soon as the mining code is approved by the Authority. At present, the Legal and Technical Commission has completed only the draft mining code and the Council of Authority has circulated the same to the member states for their comments. It is expected that the mining code may be finalised by the end of 1998.

In accordance with the provisions of UNCLOS, States are entitled to delineate the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). But are required to submit data for a claim within ten years from coming into force of the convention. The delineation of the continental margin in the case of India is likely to give an additional area of about 1.5 million sq. km. outside the EEZ. This area is rich in non- living resources. It will also be possible for India to lay submarine cables and pipelines which are important for the communication purposes in the additional area.

During the year, several meetings of experts on Continental Shelf were organised, to evolve an action plan to delineate the outer limits of the shelf. The programme involves collating the available data with various organisations, conducting necessary hydrographic surveys followed by data processing , and report preparation. With these objectives, the survey blocks off West and East Coasts of India have been identified along with Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Baseline survey has been initiated by National Hydrographic Office. The indicative foot of the slope map off West Coast and East Coast is being reconciled. These will form the basis for the proposed bathymetric survey. The bathymetric survey is to be initiated by also utilising the Departmental Vessel ORV Sagar Kanya. A monitoring and review mechanism has also been established with the constitution of a Steering Committee, Standing Committees on Bathymetric Survey and Seismic Survey.