Ironduke

With the Russian planting of a titanium flag on the seabed at the North Pole, and the recent Time magazine article I read in mind, should nations have their Arctic claims recognized, if so, what should be the criteria?

Five countries have exclusive economic zones (EEZs) extending into the Arctic: Canada, Russia, the United States, Denmark, and Norway.

It's projected that the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free by the year 2040. Some estimates claim that as much as 25% of the world's oil reserves may be in the Arctic Ocean. How should claims to the Arctic be settled, if they should be recognized at all?

• Beyond the EEZs, the Arctic is international waters
• Underwater topography, "continental ridges" and such
• An extension of the 5 EEZs beyond 200 nautical miles
• "Pie Slices" extending from the 5 EEZs to the North Pole
• Other (define)

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JAD_333

I'm kinda hoping it all freezes over again. But for now I holding off on voting because I don't understand the ramifications of any of the choices listed. Thanks for starting the thread. I'm looking forward to getting some good insights from those who are up on the subject.

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Expat Canuck

It's all mine!

Amled

I voted "4" as it does seem the most logical and equitable.
But whatever (if ever?) is finally decided, this subject is sure to be a bone of contention, as natural resources are depleted elsewhere in the world.

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Officer of Engineers

Thus far, the Canadians have the cheapest and easiest claim on the region. They have the easiest land territories from which to support their claims. Everyone else is going to jump through hoops trying to support their claims.

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Chimo

JAD_333

no, it's mine.

JAD_333

How about a multi-national co-op?

crooks

Canada has the most viable claim, which should factor into account when dividing it (or we could all just leave it alone, but it ain't gonna happen, is it ?).

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glyn

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Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

Amled

There is a kind'a precedent that might be invoked.
When the countries involved got together, and decided on the exploitation of the North Sea and Baltic Ocean natural resources.

Dwarven Pirate

I voted other but Im afraid I cannot define an alternative. My reasoning is based on Antarctica. Does Antarctica therefore get divvied up by Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and Tasmania?

(Greenpeace shut down Shell drilling in the Beaufort this year, btw. Something to do with whales. Not sure exactly where the drill ship was heading, but they planned to base out of Point Barrow, I believe. Very shhhh sekrit if you listen to the guys on the ship, lol.)

Canmoore

I choose pie slices. My understand is that the current land/ocean claims would stand. And the open ocean that no one claims would be divided up by the 5 Arctic Countries. Basically resulting in a luck of the draw..

if you pie slice has oil you won the lottery... and if it doesn't? well then you have nothing but a lot of water.

texasjohn

I have to say other. If by 2040 the Artic ice will be gone, then the coastlines of all these countries would change. That's why Russia is sticking to it's continental shelf theory. Many thousands of years ago it might have been Russia's coastline. Except Russia as a nation did not exist back then!

This would mean in 2040, the EEZs would have to be re-defined, right?

I think I'm getting a headache...

Anyone know how these zones are defined? current coastline, or what used to be and if so, how long ago?

Shuttlecat

International waters.

texasjohn

Could you expand on that? what are you trying to say?