Canada and the law of the sea

This is a historical review of Canadian policy at the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea. Canadian objectives with regard to the territorial sea, fisheries, pollution prevention and the continental shelf are outlined and the role played by the Canadian delegation at UNCLOS is described. The article then examines the impact of the Convention on Canada, particular attention being paid to the Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone and the Canadian role in the controversy over seabed mining. The author concludes by arguing that Canada was a major beneficiary of the Convention, but that US opposition has placed the future of the Convention in jeopardy.