Geography and Jurisdiction in the Maritime Arctic

Abstract

The rapid reduction of Arctic sea ice in the early years of the twenty‐first century led to visions of new trade routes and vast reservoirs of oil and natural gas. This led to concern that the Arctic would be an area of competition and conflict. This concern has been proven wrong in large part due to the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which established the legal framework for governance of the changing Arctic Ocean. The Convention's success in promoting a peaceful maritime Arctic rests on its recognition of the relationship between the geographic characteristics of the world ocean and the geology of the seafloor, maritime law and practice, and recognition of the economic and environmental interests of coastal states in the waters beyond their shores. The synergy across disciplines and interests in the Convention provides the basis for peaceful use of the accessible Arctic, but proper application of the Convention requires an understanding of the relationships between geography, jurisdiction, and interests in the maritime Arctic.

Key words:

• Law of the Sea
• Arctic Energy
• Conflict Resolution
• Northern Sea Route
• Northwest Passage

Figure 1 in this article is based on the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean prepared by GEBCO under the joint auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) (of UNESCO). Figures 2 through 5 in this article were prepared by the author using the QGIS geographic information system with datasets from Natural Earth, the International Hydrographic Office, the United States Geological Survey, and the UN Environmental Programme and with information published in the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA 2009).

Figure 1 in this article is based on the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean prepared by GEBCO under the joint auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) (of UNESCO). Figures 2 through 5 in this article were prepared by the author using the QGIS geographic information system with datasets from Natural Earth, the International Hydrographic Office, the United States Geological Survey, and the UN Environmental Programme and with information published in the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA 2009).

Notes

Figure 1 in this article is based on the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean prepared by GEBCO under the joint auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) (of UNESCO). Figures 2 through 5 in this article were prepared by the author using the QGIS geographic information system with datasets from Natural Earth, the International Hydrographic Office, the United States Geological Survey, and the UN Environmental Programme and with information published in the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA 2009).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Caitlyn Antrim

Caitlyn Antrim is Executive Director of the Rule of Law Committee for the Oceans, Washington, DC 20036; [[email protected]].