Canada, U.S. must work together to protect the Central Arctic Ocean

Following his first official visit to Canada last month, U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used their joint statement to highlight our countries’ shared interest in protecting the Arctic, and specifically called to work with other Arctic nations on the Central Arctic Ocean. Building such a shared vision is vital not only for the Arctic, but also for the entire planet. The Central Arctic Ocean—starting just beyond our northern maritime boundaries and extending to the North Pole and beyond to the Arctic coastal seas of Russia, Greenland, and Norway—is one of the world’s last and largest intact ecosystems. Its 2.8-million square kilometres provide habitat for Arctic life including polar bears, ringed seals, and bowhead whales, which are vital for the livelihoods of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. It also acts as the planet’s air conditioner: the thick sea ice cover reflects sunlight back into space, cooling both the region and the planet. Janis Searles Jones is the CEO of Ocean Conservancy. Photograph courtesy of Ocean Conservancy Unfortunately, centuries of carbon emissions are now causing a sharp decline in sea ice cover, with global and regional consequences. As its planet-cooling functions are compromised, the Arctic is less able to moderate weather extremes in the planet’s mid-latitudes, or drive important ocean currents. Less sea ice and warmer temperatures mean that the cascading changes to marine mammals, fish, and seabirds that we have already seen in northern seas closer to our shores is underway in the Central Arctic Ocean, too. The reduction in sea ice also means this previously inaccessible ocean could soon be open to increased and poorly regulated industrial activity. In the face of these challenges, the Central Arctic Ocean needs cross-border collaboration. That’s why Oceans North and Ocean Conservancy are calling for Canada and the United States to work with other Arctic nations to develop a new strategy to protect the Central Arctic Ocean from rapidly multiplying threats. Together, we can work in partnership with circumpolar Indigenous Peoples to advance conservation and support their own visions for the region. Progress has already been made. In 2018, Canada, the United States, and seven other countries, along with the European Union, signed the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, which established a moratorium on commercial fishing. We now need a new agreement to address shipping and deep-sea mining, and to establish a robust international framework that can protect and restore this crucial ocean. Louie Porta is executive director of Oceans North. Photograph courtesy of Louie Porta One of the biggest dangers to the Central Arctic Ocean is shipping. Companies and countries looking for shortcuts are eyeing a transpolar route across the top of the globe well before we know enough to do this safely. How will ships and accompanying icebreakers impact the remaining sea ice so important for climate regulation and Arctic sea life? How much faster will ice melt from increased black carbon emissions from ships? What impact will increased underwater noise have on marine mammals in the quietest remaining sea on the planet? How will we keep mariners safe, or clean up oil spills, when help and equipment are thousands of miles away? Because these questions have not been answered, major retail brands and shipping companies representing half of the globe’s cargo capacity have joined Ocean Conservancy’s Arctic Corporate Shipping Pledge to avoid this shipping route. Now, our governments need to make the same pledge. Another risk is deep-sea mining. Arctic countries have filed for ownership of almost all the seabed under the Central Arctic Ocean. Yet, none have explained their plans. Will industry start to claim rights for deep-sea mining, with all its seabed disturbance, noise, ice breaking, and black carbon pollution? The United States and Canada should encourage Arctic coastal states to agree to a voluntary moratorium on mineral development in the area as a first step. Our two countries have their work cut out for them to live up to their pledge to safeguard the Central Arctic Ocean. While conservationists and political leaders are often in the business of reacting to problems, the Central Arctic Ocean offers a rare opportunity to protect an important place for both of our countries before the worst problems arrive. To keep the Central Arctic Ocean functioning for us and for the planet, Canada and the United States must act quickly. Janis Searles Jones is the CEO of Ocean Conservancy, a U.S.-based organization that creates evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Louie Porta is executive director of Oceans North, a Canadian charity that supports marine conservation and climate action in partnership with Indigenous and coastal communities. The Hill Times

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Canada, U.S. must work together to protect the Central Arctic Ocean

We need a new agreement to address shipping and deep-sea mining, and to establish a robust international framework that can protect and restore the Central Arctic Ocean.

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