Low-tide Elevation-Based Quasi-Islands as a New Feature Type Eligible for Maritime Entitlements.

This article examines the legal status of "quasi-islands," a proposed new category of maritime features created by minimal human reclamation on naturally formed low-tide elevations (LTEs). Unlike traditional artificial islands, which UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) explicitly excludes from generating maritime entitlements, quasi-islands retain a natural base and meet many criteria of islands, such as being above water at high tide and capable of sustaining human habitation or economic life. The authors argue that quasi-islands should be recognized as a distinct feature type, eligible for maritime zones and territorial claims if they satisfy conditions of physical and conceptual stability and gain international recognition. This proposal addresses gaps in current maritime law, especially in light of challenges posed by sea-level rise and the need for innovative solutions to resource scarcity and population pressures.