International regulatory protection of the high Arctic would result in preservation of innumerable species of fish, marine mammals, and threatened Arctic iconic species such as polar bears and barren ground caribou. Establishing appropriate regulatory mechanisms to control environmental degradation caused by fishing fleets, mining and oil companies would be necessary under the European Union Arctic Strategy.

To properly implement such a groundbreaking strategy, all countries sharing Arctic territory must agree to commit – something that has yet to happen.

"As the European Union sets an impressive precedent for Arctic protection, Canada continues to push forward its pro-business and pro-oil agenda as chair of the Arctic Council," said Greenpeace Canada spokesperson Farrah Khan in a March 12 news release. "To successfully prevent devastating oil spills and the depletion of fish stocks that could destroy the livelihoods of millions, measures such as those proposed by the European Parliament need to be reflected in Canadian law as well as the laws of all Arctic states."