Talk:International waters

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Contents 1 Clarification 2 Citizenship? 3 Islands In International Waters 4 References in Popular Culture 5 laws 6 natural resources from international waters 7 Antarctica

[edit] Clarification

This should be clarified:

(e.g., 261 international river basins comprise 45% of the earth's total land area; 70% of the world's 50 large marine ecosystems, where 95% of the world's fish are caught)

The part "where 95% of the world's fish are caught" is mildly confusing, as one might think that 95% of the total fish population in the world is caught. Rather, it should be rewritten to indicate what it really means (that out of all the fish caught in the world, 95% are caught at these combined locations).

[edit] Citizenship?

Does anyone know how laws regarding citizenship apply to persons born in international waters? Sarge Baldy 05:20, 31 March 2006 (UTC)

Generally, the citizenship of the parents comes into play here. So if a Canadian couple has a kid while on a life raft in the middle of the Atlantic, that kid has Canadian citizenship. If the kid is born to a Canadian and say, a Russian, the kid would get dual citizenship, if such a provision exists between the two countries. --198.53.200.80 21:58, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

That last comment was me. Sorry. --Phant 21:58, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

Also according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea the nationality of the ship (the flag that was flown on the ship at the time of birth) would come into play. This was actually outlined in British Nationality Law back in the 19th century. This is also true for babies born on an airplane while in the air. --Kvasir (talk) 16:07, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Islands In International Waters

There are obviously islands in International Waters that don't belong to any country. Why haven't these been discovered? Zachorious 23:26, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

--- Incorrect, every sizable land above the water level has been found, have you ever heard of satellites? Normally a country will claim it if its profitable, but usually their claimed and sold/bought by private owners. If I'm correct, if a piece of land is unclaimed, or you build your own artificial island in international waters, you can claim it as your own - if its outside a countries borders, you can even found your own nation.

Further to the above comment, every inch of soil, barren rock above water has been claimed. If a volcanic eruption were to occur in international water to form a new island (which is probably the only way new unclaimed land can exist nowadays), you would be able to "discover" it and claim it for your own. Of course some country will come along and say that island is an extension of the continental shelf and dispute it that way. And it will probably win because it has an army. --Kvasir (talk) 22:20, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] References in Popular Culture

Does anyone else think it might be worth mentioning and explaining the frequent use of "international waters" in popular culture? I can definitely imagine people coming to this article with that in mind. I can really only think of one specific example of this occurring, and that was in an episode of The Simpsons. But, I'm certainly not suggesting we attempt to list the occurrences, just perhaps to mention the existence of it. Thoughts? CharacterZero | Speak 02:44, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] laws

i think someone with knowledge in the field, should enhance this article to include information about crimes commited in international waters. the article shold answer questions like, if i commit a crime in international waters, in which country can i be prosicuted? Janemansfield74 03:33, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Something like this would be helpful, I also came to this article to find out about natural resources in international waters. If anyone can explain that would be a great help.Tuwile 11:02, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

A vessel in international waters is under the jurisdiction of the flag country. If, say, gambling is illegal in the flag country, gambling is still illegal even in international waters. This is of course circumvented by flying a flag of convenience from a country with more relaxed law. --GSchjetne (talk) 12:08, 12 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] natural resources from international waters

I would suggest any natural resources extraction from international waters should be taxed on behalf of united nations since there is no natural resources is unlimited and inexhaustible. Jackzhp 19:36, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Antarctica

What about waters around Antarctica? i haven't been able to find any info in the Antarctic treaty about its waters and marine resource in it. --Kvasir (talk) 22:22, 24 April 2008 (UTC)