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# 									Law of the Sea Convention							

Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs

		Oceans		

## Timeline

**1958**Four Law of the Sea conventions are adopted. Following Senate approval, the United States ratifies these treaties in 1961.

**1970**President Nixon’s Ocean Policy Statement proposes the negotiation of a new multilateral treaty setting forth a legal framework for the oceans, including provisions that would treat the resources of the deep seabed as the common heritage of mankind.

**1973-82** Negotiation of the Law of the Sea Convention. Convention is finalized on December 10, 1982.

**1982**President Reagan states that the United States will not sign the Convention due to its provisions relating to deep seabed mining.

**1983**President Reagan’s Ocean Policy Statement declares that the United States will accept and act in accordance with the provisions of the Convention relating to traditional (non-seabed) uses of the ocean, such as navigation and overflight.

**1990-94** Negotiation of an Agreement to modify the deep seabed mining provisions of the Convention. Agreement is finalized on July 28, 1994.

**1994** The Convention and the 1994 Agreement are transmitted to the Senate for its advice and consent. Transmittal Package (S. Treaty Doc. 103–39).

**2004** Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes 19-0 in support of joining the Convention. Senate Report (Sen. Exec. Rpt. 108–10; includes hearings). A vote of the full Senate does not take place.

**2007**President Bush urges the Senate to approve U.S. accession to the Convention. Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes 17-4 in support of joining the Convention. Senate Report (Sen. Exec. Rpt. 110–09); SFRC Hearing Report (S. Hrg. 110–592). A vote of the full Senate does not take place.

**2012** Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds four hearings on the Convention; no vote is taken.

## Supporters

The following organizations and companies have expressed support for U.S. accession to the Law of the Sea Convention, as modified by the 1994 Agreement.

American Bar AssociationAmerican Chemistry CouncilAmerican Exploration and Production CouncilAmerican Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)American Geological InstituteAmerican Geophysical UnionAmerican Petroleum InstituteAmerican Sportfishing AssociationAT&T IncBiotechnology Industry AssociationBoat Owners Association of the United StatesCenter for a New American SecurityCenter for Oceans Law and Policy, University of Virginia School of LawChamber of Commerce of the United States of AmericaChamber of Shipping of AmericaCitizens for Global SolutionsConocoPhillipsDefenders of WildlifeDiamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.Environmental Defense FundExxonMobilIndependent Petroleum Association of AmericaInternational Association of Drilling ContractorsInternational Seakeepers SocietyInternational Union for Conservation of NatureJoint Ocean Commission InitiativeKelly Energy ConsultantsLockheed Martin CorporationLevel 3 Communications LLC (LVLT)Marathon Oil CorporationMarine Conservation InstituteMaritime Law Association of the United StatesMaritime Trades Department, AFL-CIOMilitary Officers Association of AmericaNational Association of ManufacturersNational Fisheries InstituteNational Governors AssociationNational Marine Manufacturers AssociationNational Ocean Industries AssociationNatural Resources Defense CouncilNorth American Submarine Cable AssociationOcean ConservancyOceanaPacific Crossing Limited and PC Landing Corp.RARE, The Association for Rare EarthRowan Companies, Inc.Rule of Law Committee for the OceansSeafarers International Union of North America, AFL-CIOTelecommunications Industry AssociationThe Financial Services RoundtableThe Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society InternationalThe Nature ConservancyThe Pew Charitable TrustsTyco Telecommunications (US) Inc. (“Tyco Telecom”)United Nations Association of the USAUnited Nations Foundation and Better World FundUnited States Oil and Gas AssociationU.S. Chamber of CommerceWorld Shipping CouncilWorld Wildlife Fund US

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