Jeff,
There is a thing called the Contiguous Zone that exists between the Territorial Waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone, but only if the country has invoked its right to declare this Contiguous Zone. In the US, Bill Clinton declared the Contiguous Zone, which runs 12 nautical miles beyond the Territorial Waters. Rights in the Contiguous Zone are the same as in Territorial Waters, as far as things like shipwrecks are concerned. US jurisdiction over shipwrecks is therefore 24 miles for the USA, and as you say, the EEZ only covers natural features.
Do you know if Spain has a Contiguous Zone beyond its Territorial waters.
Sorry if this has already been covered. I just dip in and out of this thread from time to time, while the court goes through its process.
In any case, I think the wreck is beyond the 24 nm limit, isn't it?
I agree with you Jeff about the likely verdict and the reason for it.
Mariner