UN Commission Backs Mauritius Claim to 147,000 km² of Seabed off Rodrigues

On 30 July 2026, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) endorsed Mauritius' claim to an extended continental shelf around the island of Rodrigues. The decision recognizes a portion of the extended shelf, totaling approximately 147,000 square kilometres, granting Mauritius sovereign rights over the seabed and subsoil natural resources.

However, this does not expand Mauritius' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which remains around 2.3 million km². The CLCS decision does not cover the water column above the extended shelf, which remains part of the high seas unless already within an existing exclusive economic zone. Mauritius has been working on its continental shelf claims since 2009, submitting a partial application in 2009 and a final technical presentation in February 2026.

The newly recognised area of extended continental shelf places Mauritius among Africa's top three maritime powers by total maritime space and seabed rights. This recognition positions Mauritius strategically in the Indian Ocean, allowing it to engage in deep-sea mining and offshore energy exploration, as well as assert its interests in international forums related to maritime security, naval presence, and economic cooperation.