426. Bangladesh argues that “natural prolongation of its land territory” in
article 76, paragraph 1, refers to the need for geological as well as
geomorphological continuity between the land mass of the coastal State and
the seabed beyond 200 nm. Where, as in the case of Myanmar, such
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continuity is absent, there cannot be entitlement beyond 200 nm. In
Bangladesh’s view, “[n]atural prolongation beyond 200 [nm] is, at root, a
physical concept [and] must be established by both geological and
geomorphological evidence”. It cannot be based on the geomorphology of the
ocean floor alone but must have an appropriate geological foundation.
Bangladesh argues that the ordinary meaning of the words “natural
prolongation” in their context clearly supports such interpretation. It maintains
that this interpretation is also supported by the jurisprudence, as well as the
Scientific and Technical Guidelines and the practice of the Commission