Ecuador plans to expand its continental shelf to 350 miles

The Expert Secretary of Sea, José Centanaro Rodríguez reported yesterday that  a study of the characteristics and resources of the seabed has started, this will last four years and  a  $ 40 million dollars investment .

This research comes after the signing of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), which sets the limit of the continental shelf of Ecuador to 200 miles off the coast – the country is currently seeking to increase 150 miles more-.

The first group of scientists and technicians who will track the sea trenches of the country started their journey yesterday from Salinas, with a team of 18 people (10 representing Secretariat of the Sea and 8 from the Oceanographic Institute of the Navy).

They will collect information for one year in order to prepare a report for the United Nations.  the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf will then decide whether Ecuador can extend their sea borders

and flaunt the sovereignty and the right of exploitation of  350 sea miles.