408. The foregoing does not imply that entitlement to the continental shelf
depends on any procedural requirements. As stated in article 77, paragraph 3,
of the Convention, “[t]he rights of the coastal State over the continental shelf
do not depend on occupation, effective or notional, or on any express
proclamation”.
409. A coastal State’s entitlement to the continental shelf exists by the sole
fact that the basis of entitlement, namely, sovereignty over the land territory, is
present. It does not require the establishment of outer limits. Article 77,
paragraph 3, of the Convention, confirms that the existence of entitlement
does not depend on the establishment of the outer limits of the continental
shelf by the coastal State.