Canadian Oceans Policy

This book deals with Canada's oceans management policies sincethe conclusion of the 1982 Convention of the Law of the Sea. ThatConvention set out a jurisdictional framework for the management of theworld's oceans, but it did not provide states with precise guidanceon all the issues that can arise. As a state with one of theworld's longest coastlines, Canada was one of the principalbeneficiaries under the 1982 Convention regime. A study of Canadianpolicy is particularly significant, as Canadian oceans managementplaces in relief many of the difficult questions yet to beresolved.

The central theme of this book, whose multidisciplinary contributorsinclude leading Canadian participants in the Third United NationsConference on the Law of the Sea, as well as leading Canadian academicand government oceans specialists, concerns the adequacy of theCanadian management responses to a new oceans regime which grantssubstantial jurisdiction to the coastal state. The chapters look atdispute settlement (maritime boundaries) and examine future Canadianand international policy directions. They are both analytical andprophetic, providing an assessment of the past and presenting a glimpseof the future.

Canadian Oceans Policy provides insights into how Canada ismanaging the oceans and ocean resources off its coast and looks at theproblems that lie ahead. The book also makes a major contribution toour understanding of an increasingly vital area of global politics. Itwill be of interest both to academics and policymakers and to all thoseconcerned with the future of the oceans.