Delineating Maritime Boundaries: The 1977-78 Canada-U. S. Beaufort Sea Continental Shelf Delimitation Boundary Negotiations

Abstract

In August 1977, Canada and the United States commenced negotiations for the purposes of resolving four outstanding maritime boundary disputes: the Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank area; seaward of the Strait of Juan de Fuca; the Dixon Entrance; and, the Beaufort Sea continental shelf and water column. The purpose of this paper is to examine the negotiations and related outcome involving the final case, that of the Beaufort Sea maritime boundary. Specifically, the following questions will be examined: what were the respective national interests and negotiating objectives of both parties?; were these objectives fulfilled?; how did the negotiation process evolve?; and, what variables account for the outcome reached? It is necessary at the outset, however, to first explain what prompted Canada and the United States to begin negotiations in 1977 over this issue.