The Pacific Salmon War: The Defence of Necessity Revisited

Abstract

In 1994, frustration with the Pacific salmon dispute between Canada and the United States, caused the Canadian government to impose a transit fee on American fishing vessels. The author reviews the legality of the measure vis-avis three legal regimes: the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, the defence of countermeasures, and the defence of necessity. In addition, the effectiveness of retaliatory measures are examined in viewof recent developments. The author concludes by recommending a two-track strategy: an alliance with NativeAmerican groups as well as environmentalnon-governmentalorganizations.