Part 3: The outer seas and fisheries development
The Saint Pierre and Miquelon dispute: Towards a further redefinition of French fishing rights in the Northwest Atlantic

https://doi.org/10.1016/0964-5691(92)90037-LGet rights and content

Abstract

The Canada-France dispute concerning the extent of maritime jurisdiction around the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon is distinct from other maritime boundary disputes. The French claim creates a large enclave within Canada's 200 nautical mile zone, raises questions about the extent of maritime jurisdiction which dependent islands can claim, and involves historic fishing rights governed by treaty. After reviewing the redefinition and relocation of these rights, attention is turned to what has happened since 1977. It is argued that the effect of the boundary settlement to be decided by an international tribunal will be critical to both Canadian and French fisheries. Whatever the tribunal's decision, it will be another step in the redefinition of the French fishing rights in the Northwest Atlantic but it will not be the last. It is likely to be followed by a renegotiation of the 1972 fisheries agreement which continues to govern French fishing rights in the Canadian exclusive fishing zone.

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