Canada's Arctic Waters in International Law

The crossing of the Northwest Passage in August 1985 by a US icebreaker, without requesting authorisation, raised the whole question of Canada's sovereignty over the waters of its Arctic Archipelago.

Donat Pharand (Author)

9780521100069, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 January 2009

312 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.46 kg

The crossing of the Northwest Passage in August 1985 by a US icebreaker, without requesting authorisation, raised the whole question of Canada's sovereignty over the waters of its Arctic Archipelago. Given this controversy and the existence of similar situations in other parts of the world, this book presents an examination of the international legal validity of Canada's claim by an in-depth study of three possible bases in international law: the sector theory, the doctrine of historic waters and the Straight baseline system. This work is the second of a series of monographs arising from the Canadian Northern Waters Project of the Dalhousie Ocean Studies Programme, It draws on examples from other parts of the world, and, as such it will have relevance beyond the development of the Canadian Arctic. Professor Pharand is a recognised authority in this field. His earlier book, The Law of the Sea of the Arctic is still one of the standard reference works in the area, but with changes in the general law of the sea, this monograph presents a timely reappraisal of the relevant legal theories and practices.

Part I. The Waters of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and the Sector Theory
1. The origins of the sector theory
2. Boundary treaties as a legal basis for the sector theory
3. Contiguity as a basis for the sector theory
4. Customary law as a basis for the sector theory
Part II. The Waters of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago as Historic Waters: 5. The basic characteristics of historic waters
6. Requirements of historic waters
7. State practice of Arctic states on historic waters
8. Historic waters applied to the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Part III. The Waters of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Straight Baselines: 9. The law on straight baselines for coastal Archipelagos
10. State practice on the use of straight baselines
11. Straight baselines applied to the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Part IV. The Waters of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and the Northwest Passage: 12. Description of the Northwest Passage
13. Use of the Northwest Passage
14. Legal status of the Northwest Passage.

Subject Areas: International law of transport, communications & commerce [LBD]