Why did Canada extend its territorial waters out to 200 nautical miles in the 1970’s.

Canada extended its territorial waters to 200 nautical miles to gain control over nearby marine resources and reserve them for domestic use and management. The best answer is “to protect the resources for domestic exploitation.” Protecting cod stocks was an important concern, but the broader purpose was control of the resources, not simply restricting fishing practices or annoying U.S. fishermen.

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