Ocean Planning and the Gulf of Maine: Exploring Bi-National Policy Options

Abstract

This Article (1) highlights the underlying economic rationale behind why the two neighboring countries of Canada and the United States sought to clarify a single maritime boundary in the Gulf of Maine; (2) identifies the challenges confronting the parties in managing their ocean resources, after ownership had been established, particularly in light of growing energy-related exploitation demands; (3) discusses mechanisms for ocean planning and management adopted by each party to utilize its living and non-living resources; (4) presents two examples of existing bilateral cooperation from which lessons can be gleaned for future collaborative efforts; and (5) identifies policy options and an implementation mechanism for transboundary cooperation in the Gulf of Maine that could potentially meet the objectives of both countries as they seek to implement marine spatial planning in their respective maritime zones.