Within the limits of the continental shelf, the regime of the continental shelf is established - the procedure for carrying out activities related to the exploration and development of natural resources of the seabed and subsoil, the creation and use of artificial islands, installations and structures, their conservation and dismantling, disposal of waste and other materials, as well as marine scientific research on the continental shelf.

The regime of the continental shelf is established by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international treaties ratified by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The main purpose of the continental shelf regime is to ensure the established procedure for the implementation of activities related to the exploration and development of natural resources on the continental shelf.

Control over compliance with the regime of the continental shelf is assigned to the authorized body for the study of subsurface resources and the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.