A group of seven Pacific nations with credible claims for an extension of their exclusive economic zones may miss a May 2009 deadline for applications to the United Nations.

The Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission, or SOPAC, says Fiji, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga and Papua New Guinea have a credible claim to more than 1.5 million square kilometres of additional space beyond their current 200 mile exclusive economic zone.

SOPAC says these countries are may struggle to get their submissions for extra ocean space to the UN by May of next year.

The Commission says limited technical and financial capacity and a lack of external support is impeding the submission process.

Scientific studies show an extended continental shelf could give Pacific countries increased access to mineral rich resources.

SOPAC - in collaboration with Geoscience Australia and the United Nations - is holding a week-long workshop in the Fijian capital Suva to assist Pacific nations to prepare their claims.

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