Proclamation of 8 June 1949 on waters contiguous to the Territorial Sea of Qatar

Proclamation of 8 June 1949. Whereas it is desirable to encourage all efforts which will bring about the greater utilisation of the world's natural resources: Whereas valuable resources may underlie parts of the Persian Gulf off the coasts of Qatar and it is becoming increasingly practicable to utilise such submerge<l resources. Whereas it is desirable in the interests of protection, conservation and orderly development that the exploitation of such resources should be properly controlled. Whereas it is just that the seabed and subsoil extending to reasonable distance from the coast should belong to and be controlled by the Litteral state to which it is adjacent. Whereas the right of a litteral state to exercise its authority over the natural resources of the seabed and subsoil adjacent to its coasts has been established in international practice by the action of other states: Now, therefore, we Abdullah bin Qasim al Thani, Ruler of Qatar, inpursuance of the powers vested in us in that behalf, are pleased to proclaim and hereby proclaim as follows: We, Abdullah bin Qasim al Thani, Ruler of Qatar, hereby proclaim that the seabed and subsoil lying beneath the high seas of the Persian Gulf contiguous to the territorial waters of Qatar and extending seaward to boundaries to be determined more precisely as the occasion arises, on equitable principles, by the Ruler of Qatar in consultation with the neighbouring states, appertain to the Shaikhdom of Qatar and are subject to its exclusive jurisdiction and control. Nothing in this Proclamation shall be considered to affect the sovereignty over the islands or the status of the seabed and subsoil beneath any territorial waters. Nothing in this proclamation shall be considered to affect the character of the high seas of the waters of the Persian Gulf above the seabed and outside the limits of the territorial waters or the status of the air space above the waters of the Persian Gulf outside the territorial waters of the fishing and traditional pearling rights in such waters.