Earth science and the law of the sea: Keys to Canada's offshore energy andmineral resources beyond 200 nautical miles

Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allows Ca nada to establish sovereignty over resources of the seabed beyond the custo mary 200 nautical mile limit, when certain bathymetric and geological crite ria are satisfied. This paper outlines the procedures for meeting those cri teria, and describes the mutual benefits that can accrue to the earth scien ces and the Law of the Sea through programs for collecting and analyzing th e necessary data. In the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, this work could allow Canada to extend energy and mineral jurisdiction into seabed areas that app roach the size of the three Prairie Provinces combined.