4Chapter 2
Western Hemisphere
2 United States of America/20 Canada
MID#2968
Dispute Number: 2968
Date(s): August 26, 1979 to August 31, 1979
Participants: 20 Canada/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Canada seized eight American ships on August 28, 1977, 60 miles from
Vancouver. The seizures were likely a response to American efforts to expand fishing
for roe herring. Canadians were not allowed to fish for roe herring in American waters,
so Canadian officials suggested that they would trade albacore fishing rights for roe
herring rights. US officials refused this offer.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 28, 1979.
MID#3900
Dispute Number: 3900
Date(s): December 11, 1989
Participants: 20 Canada/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A Canadian Forces frigate and an American fishing vessel collided in US
territorial waters. Canada claims the fishing vessel had violated Canadian territorial
waters. The fishing vessel ignored the Canadian frigate’s demand to yield, at which
time the frigate fired “5 to 10” shots across the vessel’s bow. It is unclear whether the
American fishing vessel violated Canadian waters; it is also unclear which ship was
at fault when the two collided.