The Australian-Canadian Ocean Research Network (ACORN III)

Existing studies on oceans governance in polar regions focus primarily on either the Arctic or the Antarctic, and even bi-polar studies essentially take uni-polar standpoints. The Network’s research aims to examine the legal and policy challenges facing Australia and Canada in their respective polar regions, through a comparative analysis of governance issues. Australia and Canada share significant national interests in the polar regions yet the regions are remote and difficult to access and are equally difficult places in which to establish adequate and effective national monitoring, surveillance and enforcement. While the current legal regimes governing the Antarctic and Arctic differ, there is much to be learned from an examination and comparison of the formal and legally binding approach of the Antarctic Treaty System as opposed to the informal, cooperative regional approach taken by the Arctic Council.

This bi-polar focus is timely as the years 2007-2009 are the 4th International Polar Year, during which time researchers from around the globe conduct collaborative and comparative polar studies. For more information go to <www.ipy.org>

ACORN III is supported under Australian Research Council's Linkage International Scheme of the National Competitive Grants Program (project number LX0776226).