The US & Canada’s Only Border Dispute Over Land

A little island at the center of a blurry border.
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Johnny Harris is a filmmaker and journalist. He currently is based in Washington, DC, reporting on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe. Johnny's visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways. He holds a BA in international relations from Brigham Young University and an MA in international peace and conflict resolution from American University.
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[@18utkb]

One thing that the British gave all of its colonies equally is Border disputes

[@Aryan-ck9lv]

Ngl US Canada has got the best treatment from the British regarding border division

[@18utkb]

@@Aryan-ck9lv ikr, the Brits always had a soft spot for Canada and US

[@piercerobinson5400]

@@18utkb Irish guy here 👋 Britain has always had a soft spot for the U.S and Canada, they’re strangely obsessed with them. I genuinely think that if they could, they would move their whole country to be next to them and leave Europe.

[@ChadPANDA...]

@Rajeev Vij f Britain , destroying heritage and cultures and people and dividing them

[@TheRedNaxelaYouTube]

@@ChadPANDA... sounds like your problem is with imperialism

[@zenolachance1181]

I was a lobsterman on a offshore commercial boat out of Westport Massachusetts in the late 80s and early 90s and we discussed this because it was big news among lobsterman oh, and the conclusion we came to was it should be designated a no fishing Zone by both countries so it would serve as a breeding ground for lobsters in both countries. End of problem.

[@joedavidson6556]

It’s extremely lucrative and none of us will stop fishing there. I’d rather go out and fight every day if needed. It’s alllll about that $$$$$$.

[@BatCaveOz]

Excellent option. It might help the lobster fishing industry remain viable, unlike the collapse of cod fishing in the broader region.

[@vinnylamoureux1187]

I like that idea.

[@TripReviews]

A sensible proposition. 👍

[@Egerit100]

This makes sense. Sadly we live in a world where humans are a thing and we could never accomplish something so great yet so simple

[@TenThumbsProductions]

If education was this dynamic I wouldn't have slept from 7th grade to high school graduation.

[@ghrndez]

,

[@gabehodos-rich2372]

exactly just show these videos lol

[@lackofmemes240]

@@gabehodos-rich2372 lol

[@adjoint_functor]

As the smart kid, capturing this wonder is what gets me through.

[@nbain]

Yes you would’ve

[@bmo3778]

I came to this channel from a McDonald's conspiracy video, then I can't stop

[@ryanm513]

Haha same

[@joedavidson6556]

Ice cream machines. 😂.

[@resisantcubegaming983]

Likewise 😂😂 good content though( interesting)

[@thepeddle]

Me as well.. I think I've digested about 12 of his videos now....

[@ya8158]

@@thepeddle that's also how I've gotten here although I've watched over 25 of his videos so far

[@dattwin2]

We all need to appreciate how easy Google maps makes our curiosity in maps and the world explode.

[@jgdp2798]

Never forget that a war almost started between Nicaragua and Costa Rica over a google maps error. A Cost Rica military commander went on to google maps and sent troops to this uninhabited island that was long considered to be part of CR. Nicaragua then was alarmed and also sent troops to the island and claimed that the island was rightfully theirs.

[@johnnyharris]

YES YES YES YES. This. im so grateful for google maps every day.

[@alex.mojaki]

You should see people bickering in the Google maps reviews for the island: www.google.co.za/maps/place/Machias-Seal+Island+Lighthouse/@44.5018898,-67.1040414,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x4ca8e246628a84b7:0xd12c89b0cfc57262!8m2!3d44.501886!4d-67.1018475

[@johnforestersworstnightmar3756]

@@alex.mojaki amazing! Thank you for telling us about this wonderfully stupid page! 10/10

[@texaspoontappa2088]

Absolutely! I love looking at weird borders, like Point Roberts, and the Northwest Angle, and the mess that is the borders in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan

[@LeahandLevi]

The timing of this is crazy especially considering the conflicts happening on the east coast of Canada over these lobster fisheries with the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

[@jamesknechtel]

i was just thinking about that

[@kaileyyoung9779]

Exactly what I was thinking too, little bit of a touchy subject rn

[@MyEconomics101]

And don't forget Brexit and the Commons Fisheries Policy (CFP). Fishing being 0.2% of UK GDP, but it is one of their (current UK government) current "red line" (as of writing 22/10/2020). They kill off car manufacturing, farming, financial services, etc. No bargaining. No haggling. Just for this idiotic red line, 0.2% of GDP, 'fishing sovereignty!' 1000% Hearts of minds. Didn't even want to water down their red line and agree do a more Brexit friendly CFP which gives the UK a bigger say, more votes. AND this "red line" (and the debate in the public discourse about 'UK fishing' and the CFP) also DOES NOT take into account that fishing rights are sold and bought on the open market, and most UK fishermen have sold theirs to bigger firms on the mainland because for them it made more sense to sell them (guaranteed income) vs fishing themselves (volatile income). Just Google "UK fishing rights sold to Netherlands" eg www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/23/propaganda-brexit-fish-eu-britain-fishing-rights Greenpeace also wrote extensively (investigative journalism) about it: Google "Greenpeace fishing quotas" unearthed.greenpeace.org/2019/03/07/fishing-brexit-uk-fleetwood/

[@benquach490]

Aye, you from Halifax?

[@AlexPotvin]

Levi's on the West Coast.

[@cleanmachine6570]

Declare the Island a Nature Reserve, and NOBODY gets to harvest the lobsters.

[@marcorodrigues8303]

NATURA E PERFUMARIA . EU TENHO UMA LOÇÃO DA NATURA . APOS A BARBA .

[@EL-ISS]

People will still complain because as it said, it's about work and money. Make a nature reserve both countries citizens will bitch more.

[@KillerManzarek]

All the surrounding of this island already is Natural Reserve: USA (Maine): Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge Canada (New-Brunswick): Loch Alva Wilderness Area Canada (Nova-Scotia): Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site

[@yolamontalvan9502]

The U.S. has been stealing territories since 1812 by sending spies like David Crockett to the West coast, and sending USAnians insurrectionists to Texas like Sam Houston. What, the U.S. is not happy stealing 60% of Mexican territory? It belongs to Canada.

[@jcr-studios]

@@yolamontalvan9502 Yes. Alaska comes to mind.

[@Megarobotsquadron]

great vid. one thing I want to point out is that Johnny goes to great lengths to point out how important lobster is to the people of Maine. I can assure you that it is also important to the people of Nova Scotia.

[@michaelmorgan6674]

And New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador

[@bredsheeran2897]

It is so important to us mainers

[@nakibsayyed4999]

I don't know why but I felt kinda relieved when heard him say borders.

[@raniedelfajardo742]

What's the reason though?

[@d_reeves1133]

Maybe because vice borders has been cancelled

[@dominikdanda7863]

@@d_reeves1133 I thought it was Vox?

[@peterwagner958]

I love vice borders

[@Bugneedfix]

Me and you both

[@dunnadidit]

"These are the lines we use to draw countries... we call them BORDERS" (single tear)

[@rolfkrajewski4975]

👁👄👁

[@nathanlevesque7812]

._.

[@chestalambert]

No one can cancel Johnny Harris and his borders, not even Vox

[@SabDizon]

@gid Johnny had the segment on Vox called Borders. It got cancelled recently.

[@fatherfred3946]

Borders! The truth of the matter is that indigenous Native People would forever be the subject of scapegoat, and victimized by the Colonizers of their lands, as long as they occupy those rich bountiful lands in order to justify their occupation. In other words, the Colonizers are 'Living in Denial', aka, 'Living in Sin'. More at, "Christian Europeans' Original Sin"; blog.chinadaily.com.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=734896&fromuid=769836

[@Toastmaster_5000]

As a New Englander who enjoys lobster, I say just give it to Canada. There won't be any more lobster if both countries are scrambling to get more of it, and then it becomes useless to both. Canada clearly cares more about it, and they inherited the lighthouse, so that 's enough of a reason.

[@sunbakedwings2768]

You might be new England but your not a mainer so you cant say anything

[@Toastmaster_5000]

@@sunbakedwings2768 I lived in Maine for 4 years and I visit almost every year. The only thing Mainers really care about here is lobster, but as the video pointed out, there isn't going to be any more lobster at the rate they're being caught at which point we're just hurting our relationship with Canada over raking in some cash temporarily. That's just plain stupid.

[@marcorodrigues8303]

TRUMP TINHA DITO QUE ESTAVA ENVESTINDO EM CANABIS . E POR VENTURA CANABIS FICA EM CANADA . O INVESTIMENTO E DE ESTORIAS . SÃO RECURSOS DE ESTORIAS SENDO REPASSADO EM INVESTIMENTO EM CANABIS .

[@nicksvetelj9252]

@@sunbakedwings2768 as a Canadian i can say that we should get it because trump is simply unintelligent and the US pushes us around enough

[@diegopena8360]

Yeah, though I think it would be a cool idea to keep as it is, but both countries agree too turn it into a protected park. Then they could charge tourists to see the puffins from a safe distance and take a tour of the light house or something.

[@NightOfCrystals]

I’m from Maine and I wasn’t even aware of this dispute. Thanks for the video!

[@joedavidson6556]

Most people not in the fishing industry, lobster in particular don’t know anything about it. Those of us in Downeast deal with it daily. No mention of the Canadians coming across the border and dragging up all of our scallops in areas closed to us. Those great Canadians never break the law tho, even tho they like to come across the border and steal our scallops in areas that our closed down to preserve our own fishery. All borders are in fishing is the line you cross to double your catch and double your money.

[@gabrielmachadobsb]

Vox: cancels Borders USA Johnny: fine, I'll make my own Borders USA with my family and maps

[@QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

[@lebens3585]

@@jothishprabu8 ok american boy

[@Steampunkkids]

Lol

[@prod.kikirich]

@@lebens3585 shut up FOREIGNER.

[@johnnyharris]

mind blown.

[@seandunnett9877]

@@johnnyharris Dispute over sea not land right? more of the grey zone is water than land :O so your title is kinda misleading

[@adithyavangapandu]

Videos so good I don’t even skip the sponsorship part.😂

[@saagarraavi5236]

Dude. Thank you for revealing every tidbit of your map and cartography geekiness. I can't even begin to explain to you how much I can relate, and am sure many on others on your channel relate to as well. LOVE your work. #subscribed

[@Mustafa2219]

Vox: *cancels borders JH: LiNeS tO dRaW cOuNtRiEs

[@vyentro29]

Lol. For real.

[@zeigfrydcat3097]

He did it, he said the name: Borders 😭

[@kidyuki1]

That'd make a great show title. Could you imagine?

[@johnnyharris]

😢

[@athul_c1375]

@@johnnyharris you are so good man Thats why I enabled notification for your channel

[@EvinRattner]

When I heard it, I was like, “WAIT!!! DID HE SAY IT?!?”

[@TheSilentdecent]

@@johnnyharris You should look into Point Roberts, Washington. Due to Covid-19 and the closure of the Canadian Border they are completely cut off from the US. There is a growing movement of citizens there that want to break from the US and join Canada.

[@celticviking3150]

Just an FYI, it’s not the Canadian Military that places the Light Keeper on Machias Seal Island. It’s the Canadian Coast Guard.

[@sittingindetroit9204]

There is actually a book called "The Lobster Wars" (at least that is close) about the warring parties of Maine lobster-men.

[@mynciee]

I'm from New Brunswick and live about an hour from the Maine - NB border. I never thought I'd see anything from my neck of the woods in a Johnny video! What's good to remember is Canadian lobstermen and Maine lobstermen are very similar people with the same interests in terms of lifestyle and economy. We have more to gain through understanding each other than by fighting over borders. @Johnny Harris if you really want to get into a fishing dispute, look at the banks of newfoundland and how their fishing industry actually had to get shut down by Ottawa because of overfishing near the international water border (where europeans came over and overfished)

[@1236612]

I live in Kentucky. To be honest, this is the first I've ever even heard of this issue.

[@notheme8384]

@@1236612 Kentucky... can't imagine what I would do living under one of the most dangerous persons to American democracy, perhaps of all time. Sad he likely won't be ousted this election given how strong a grip they have over the system.

[@exsandgrounder]

@@1236612 There's something about this on Evan Hadfield's Rare Earth YT channel.

[@eggsellent88]

His supporters are very silo'd. They've been able to target each region and pump them up about local issues that affect livelihood. It's a strategy, I must say but I don't necessarily agree with the lack of diplomacy, respect, and honour that history should have taught us. It's humanly unethical. Humans are better than this. We can send rockets to space and back so we can reuse them but we can't just get along as people? No matter the language, color, or creed - we all love the same things. Love, food, family, music, dancing, a connection & laughter. Where did all this anger come from? How will it benefit our offspring? Don't be a bunch of hosers, y'all. Vote and look long-term eh

[@ericnicholls3955]

@@1236612 Are the KFCs from Kentucky better than in the rest of the country?

[@charlesjmouse]

I see one positive use for this "grey zone": -USA and Canada agree this is to be a no fishing zone -The two countries removed a bone of contention and everyone is equally "unhappy" for now, except for the Lobsters! The area gets an important use - is becomes a fisheries preservation area, and so Lobster might just remain on the menu in to the future... ...because nobody in the fishing industry has a future once all the stocks are fished out.

[@josephdamian2335]

america doesn’t work that way... money talks bullshit walks brother

[@dothedeed]

I don't think you understand how serious people are about lobster. People get killed and buildings get burned down over lobster.

[@danieljensen2626]

Good idea, unlikely to happen.

[@nathanlevesque7812]

I like that solution. Unfortunately I'm a reasonable person so what appeals to me doesn't tend to happen in politics.

[@elaiej]

Tragedy of the commons. Agree on a fisheries preservation area to preserve stocks for the surrounding area.

[@kristencody]

As a 911 dispatcher, this sounds like a jurisdictional nightmare. Who the heck gets to investigate a murder on this island then? Or, if one of those tourists are having a medical emergency... who responds? Which hospital are they then brought to?

[@bryanandhallie]

I know this is a year old post but I'd imagine the country the person belongs to would

[@sunnydavies3990]

@@bryanandhallie So the australian government responds to an australian?

[@bryanandhallie]

@@sunnydavies3990 Errr... not sure if you are being intentionally obtuse. If not I'll answer your question

[@patrickbateman529]

Canada: **takes island** Maine: "where lobster?"

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The Hans Island dispute between Greenland (Denmark) and Canada is my favorite. Showing sovereignty over an island with whiskey is a unique and entertaining way to fight

[@nape1713]

papo... tu estás en todo...

[@lincolnlog5977]

It’s actually become really tense and not very nice recently because the arctic is becoming so much more valuable :(

[@marcorodrigues8303]

E SERIO O QUE EU DISSE EU O NOT ELE TRUMP E BIDEN . EM CANABIS .

[@wennick4859]

Do we just watch all the same videos

[@Max-ng9hc]

Think the danish left a botle of gammeldansk ( Danish strong liqur ) haha.

[@shub]

“This is not just a family travel blog” At this point, you’ve earned so much trust that I think we’d all be fine if you just did a couple of those. I’m sure they’d be great. “the border dispute between my wife, my child, and the kitchen” would watch.

[@dougvictor5516]

In the '90s, we wanted to see puffin and decided to take the trip to Machias Seal Harbor to do so. Booked 2 seats with Barna Norton and were very excited to be finally going to see puffin. We set sail early in the early morning darkness. The fog was extremely thick. There was zero visibility. The small boat was moving full throttle the entire 10 miles of the trip. Looking back at the experience, the fog seemed like a metaphor for what was to come. When we made it to the island, Captain Barna told us Canada had a lighthouse on the island and that Canada also claimed the island. He handed us all hats to wear because hundreds of arctic terns, who also nest on the island, were known to dive at, even hit, those who came to the island "to protect their territory". He then took out a good sized American flag, raised it high in the air and marched us onto the island as if we were conscripts in a regiment instead of an unaffiliated band of unsuspecting bird watchers. Our trip to see puffins then took on a much deeper significance, which to say the least, we found quite unsettling. We had no framework but our imaginations to understand what our stepping foot on this island ten miles out to sea meant or what its ramifications would be. And, at the same time, we had a hoard of screaming artic terns diving at us. The shelter of a duck blind served us well for the remainder of the time we spent on the island. Although a bit claustrophobic, the shelter got us away from the diving birds and being an unwitting part of some front line international political statement that we did not sign up for nor for which we had any previous knowledge. We only wanted to see puffin.

[@alijane6675]

Beautiful piece of writing.

[@skeleton13-]

Canada with a lighthouse they inherited from the old owners and an older treaty that says they own the island America: haha island mine

[@corey2232]

Except Canada as a country didn't even exist at the time, and the "old owners" as you call them were the same owners that signed the treaty giving the island to the Americans. Hell, the document Canada uses is about Nova Scotia, a province that wasn't even a part of Canada until the 1900's. The US & British treaty was from the 1700's, both being countries at that point, and both still exist today.

[@skeleton13-]

@@corey2232 mhmm

[@rawbread7520]

@@corey2232 Nova scotia was one of the founding provinces of the confederation for Canada in 1867.

[@chickenbokernot2598]

@@corey2232 you seem to have completely forgotten about the video talking about it being *inherited* by the canadians

[@ILLeeT36]

@@corey2232 did you just type letters together and hope for the best?

[@mariopalenciagutierrez4318]

I think I'll side with Canada on this one. If they've been occupying that lighthouse since before the place became valuable then they have the right to it.

[@notheme8384]

logic and reason usually isn't considered in American politics sadly

[@frank7411]

Emotionally I agree with you, but I also think that when the British signed the second agreement they kinda gave up on the previous one , so even if the Americans don't care about the island it kinda is theirs still.

[@notheme8384]

@@frank7411 if it was that simple they would have it. legally and ethically your argument is weak. The law cares about what happened in practice too. The fact Canadians have occupied it and have government property and personal on it since the beginning, is important, and it serves to show that no one, not even the Americans cared. The fact that America has changed their mind about how much they want it is irrelevant. This all would be taken into consideration.

[@joebond2099]

NO THEME he kind of skipped up until now so we don’t really have enough information to make judgements

[@ericnicholls3955]

What if we excnage the Island for point roberts and the Northwest Angle?

[@elonwhatever]

Easy solution: Make the grey zone a neutral no fishing zone. That way you have a sustainable breeding ground for the lobsters. And you can give the Canadians that lighthouse they so want, work maybe joint access to the island for tourism

[@nocsha4119]

Hopefully, because Trump opened uo the other no fishing zone here, you should've seen all the rare sea life that was being fished up in the previously closed fishing area

[@isaacg5438]

Loss of money.

[@sanchezgildardo1128]

Wonder why can't we split the island?

[@nocsha4119]

Get that level headed talking outta here >:(

[@bobbyboy1797]

Yeah, just tell people who've been fishing there for decades just to stop, sure that won't have any affect on the local economy.

[@kararmay3813]

What happens if person was born there is he/she Canadian 🇨🇦 or American 🇺🇸 or both based on birthright citizenship that both countries has

[@evilbadger34]

No one would want to birth there because of the angry lobstermen

[@ZaneDalton]

Woah... I never thought about that. Would they have dual citizenship?

[@235deer]

I think both countries would recognize you as their citizen, cause they both recognize it as their territory. Pretty interesting

[@GeneralPuppet]

@Eviscerate Both nations have it where if your born in there territory your a citizen

[@joedavidson6556]

You can have dual citizenship. However you must live in either one country or the other and retain that license. You cannot live in America or Canada and acquire a license from the other country and fish it. I live in the Canadian border and I get to deal with those dumbasses on a regular basis

[@shahedkbhn]

Wow! I thought I was the one who do this wired thing of tracing border lines for hours, but now I know I'm not alone.

[@mayonaissse]

The bit about the ICJ poring over countless maps and calculations reminded me of my late father, who was a land surveyor who specialized in borders and was part of the Spratly Islands territorial dispute before he passed. I'm sure he would have appreciated your passion for international borders if he were still around. Keep up the good work! Love your videos ❤️

[@johnnyharris]

Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@skierrocker]

"The US & Canada’s Only Border Dispute Over Land" Actually a dispute over water

[@AZ-kr6ff]

Seal island is not made of water, dumb-dumb.

[@vickiesanders7519]

"The US & Canada’s Only Border Dispute Over Land" Actually a dispute over water

[@joltman81]

Only on going one maybe... But if you look at the settling of the West, and the Alaskan Panhandle, we've had many border disputes. And with Alaska, America didn't care about the border until the gild rush.

[@gamingelke6968]

Is it not all border disputes over water though when you think about it

[@glenncurley680]

Well there is an island involved as well.

[@saadlaaribi1862]

Can you do a story about "West Sahara" or the dispute about the Moroccan Sahara, would really like to hear an outsider perspective

[@ticol1602]

Algerian Sahara*

[@ticol1602]

This said, I would actually love to hear his perspective

[@clipit4503]

@@ticol1602 Sahara is morrocan territory

[@znsaidi]

@@clipit4503 Nop. It's called Western Sahara, period.

[@zparkyy1800]

To answer your question, kinda, Puerto Rico is a US Territory... but it’s not s state and is it’s own thing in a way lol

[@JustMoseyinAround]

*That ad transition was so smooth I had to watch it. Well done.*

[@bence01200]

"And there's... puffins." Poor puffins can't even imagine that they are actually provoking a struggle with their beauty... 😂

[@marcorodrigues8303]

QUE BOA NOTICIA EU DEMARQUEI A AREA . E AI ELE SAIU DE CAMPO ENTENDI E LOGICO DEU NA CARA GUANDO EU O NOT A CARETA DO DOING . TRUMP HAKKKKKKK

[@oskarelysee9076]

When you were about the mention how the island may be of conflict, I was so expecting you to talk about bird shit again.

[@Growkaru]

Great video. Johnny you should look into the Senkaku / diaoyu island dispute in Asia. I'm living in Japan and this dispute was CONSTANTLY on the news a few years back. As a topic it would be a great sequel to this video.

[@lea88pu]

I wish that school classes were this interesting and visually appealing 😊

[@grimx5772]

Hmm, a war fought over Lobsters would be interesting. Get the U.S and Canada to have a lobster cookout. Who ever makes the most delicious lobster dish wins.

[@Samuel_Rioux]

Watch Canada invite it's cousin Gordon Ramsay lol

[@HeadMaster95]

There's already a war being fought over lobsters in Canada between the Indigenous community and commercial fisherman. Not so fun fact; that one isn't as fun but still very interesting.

[@jackrackem6377]

Count me in! I'll come prepared for battle - with a lobster pot and a pound of butter.

[@Nuclear241]

Bring their parent Great Britain to rate the food?

[@milkyjelly892]

Gordon Ramsey vs Thomas Keller 😂

[@ericlanglois9194]

US and Canada have four border disputes, the one you talked about is the Machias Seal Island dispute (Maine/New Brunswick), but there's also the Strait of Juan de Fuca dispute (Washington/British Columbia), Beaufort Sea dispute (Alaska/Yukon) and Dixon Entrance dispute (Alaska/British Columbia). Technically there's also the Northwest Passage dispute where Canada claims the passage but the US claims it's international waters instead.

[@micomata]

Hi Johnny. Love your informative and thought-provoking content. I notice that you never smile. Ever. Or laugh. And your thumbnails are always so serious. I mean, you clearly have a sense of humour, but you never show your pearly whites.

[@andyv4585]

there's several territory disputes between the US and Canada but they are rarely talked about.

[@reganis]

thank you so much for putting english subtitles in your videos. I am not a native english speaker so I couldn't catch some words. The subtitle helps me a lot. Thank you very much, Johnny ❤️❤️❤️

[@mayurs4991]

There's an island between France and Spain and they've signed a treaty where they own Island for 6 months and then switch it.

[@kavyajha4]

Can you tell me the name of the island?

[@mayurs4991]

@@kavyajha4 Pheasant Island

[@stanyou7655]

That is entirely irrelevant. That island has absolutely no value to either country, no residential, commercial or tourist value whatsoever. The exchange is purely administrative. On the other hand you are looking at LOBSTERS, which are highly seasonal. Any form of exchange of ownership is stupid.

[@foundwheels1939]

I was just thinking of that as a solution

[@alainprostbis]

@@kavyajha4 more specifically its a small island in the middle of a river at the border.

[@Sindragozer]

The most logical thing is that the most recent treaty would be the rule in effect. The other document was written before the British ceded that area to the US. A border document from over 150 years prior would be overwritten.

[@gardengeek3041]

There has long been a similar dispute in the Pacific Northwest where the ocean treasure is salmon. American and Canadian commercial fishermen accuse each other of overfishing. I like the idea put forth here of setting aside a zone where neither side is permitted to fish, except that salmon don't behave like lobsters.

[@Johnnystamos123]

The only complaint I have about videos like this is they always say “Canada” when really lobster isn’t a big deal in Alberta or pretty much any province expect for the Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, etc) would love it if people started referencing provinces like they do states

[@drinkmoreagua8984]

For real!! Each province is Unique

[@johnnyharris]

but its the Canadian national government who has made this island a priority. Canadian tax dollars fund the person and infrastructure on the island all for, in the words of the Canadian Foreign ministry "sovereignty reasons" this is much broader than Nova Scotia

[@Johnnystamos123]

@@johnnyharris true but what I’m trying to say is like your point of people in Maine care so politicians care on election years, it’s similar here. Maritimers have a lot of sway in elections as they were the first provinces, so the federal government does a lot to pander to them, the video was amazing and its not something you only do, just find a lot of people don’t get the regionalism of the country, loved the video!

[@noahlambe8230]

@@johnnyharris don't worry about him johnny, Albertans are basically separatists, they think of themselves as their own little country like texas or something

[@Johnnystamos123]

@@noahlambe8230 brah I’m not from Alberta I’m from NB

[@economicsinaction]

0:40 "Live in the present" Johnny: *"Is that a... squiggly line I see?"*

[@DarkHarlequin]

I wonder if Izzy and the Kids ever plan for some quality family time and suddenly see a map and go: "Oh no! You distract daddy while I cover up the map. Quickly or he'll be gone for weeks!" ;-)

[@ComedyDude1231]

At 2:36 there's a little error in your map, from 1907 to 1934 Newfoundland was it's own country on similar standing to Canada within the British Empire

[@TimTomTem]

Lol he didn't notice?

[@MarcusTheMedic]

i cant believe i listened to someone talk abt lobsters for 15 minutes. i would listen to johnny talk abt paint drying or literally anything

[@seane2179]

Rest of the world: shooting people over oil US and Canada: shooting people over lobster

[@PolicePubliCallBox]

Also the US: shooting people over oil

[@seane2179]

@@PolicePubliCallBox true

[@forbiddengender]

i get the joke youre going for here but the US has shot and murdered literally countless people over oil to the point we may as well have written the book on it

[@vanthom9185]

@@forbiddengender literally every oil needing society has fought for oil

[@grandmabanana3450]

@@vanthom9185 not like the us. They put a dictatorship in Iran for oil and they invaded iraq for oil, just to name a few.

[@nomads7978]

Territorial Conflict i.e “Universal British were here” symbols

[@nelle5339]

@@---675 But why do you think those territorial disputes happen? Often because when nations gain independence from their colonizers, there are poorly worded documents and the area the colonized does not reflect the original boundaries between tribes. Usually once the unifying force is gone (fighting against the colonizer for independence), people will turn against each other to try and get their tribe to come out on top. Also there are way to disagree with someone and educate them without being rude.

[@csvigneshwar3390]

British involvement in (directly /indirectly) US-Canada Middle East Indian Subcontinent Britain - Ireland (Included it Bc of Northern Ireland) British - Argentina (Edit: Falkland Island) Feel free to add more

[@Skannan1994]

@@csvigneshwar3390 Spratly Islands territorial dispute, Greece and Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia and China, Argentina and Chile, Japan and Russia. None of these have the British involved. In fact, the majority of border disputes had the British involvement, This becoming a myth that the British were behind every border disputes due to two very high profile disputes- the Middle East and the Subcontinent.

[@nomads7978]

@@Skannan1994 Not EVERY and nobody has claimed All border conflict had to do with British. It’s not just subcontinental problems. Conflict with Argentina for Falkan islands, Conflict with Venezuela regarding Guiana, Conflict with Canada vs US. Conflict with Ireland. It was bound to happened almost half of the world was once ruled by British. With very little knowledge of ethnicity, arbitrary boundaries were created by them which helped in this problem.

[@xMoac]

They could just agree to make the island and the grey zone a nature park where fishing is either limited or forbidden there.

[@nickfriedl4462]

Hey Johnny, you have to read The Outlaw Oceans if you haven’t already. Great journalism by one of your NYT buddies.

[@kody1654]

FYI to Americans, the lobster industry is so important to the East coast of Canada, we have a mini conflict going on between first nations and commercial fisherman, leading to arson and mini scuffles

[@x1achilles99]

Most Americans don't know the term "first nations." You should probably explain it means "Native Americans" or "Indian Tribes." Neither term is considered derogatory.

[@kody1654]

@@x1achilles99 ya true good point. And I don't know where you're from but in Canada it is kind of seen as offensive to use the term Indian within the Caucasian community when referring to First Nations. You wouldn't get beat up but you'd definitely get some cunt points. We did something similar to what the Chinese are doing to the Uighurs. Putting aboriginals in "reducation schools" trying to essentially force them to unlearn and beat the savage out of them as colonizers would have said back in the day. I actually don't think the last of those schools closed until the late 90's. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Indian_residential_school_system Look at @Levi Hildebrand's comment, he did a similar thing and I presume he's Canadian. Personally I prefer to use the name of the tribe or community if I know it and don't completely butcher the spelling, because there's a quite a bit of difference in cultural beliefs and practices between all of the communities.

[@snowwhite4133]

@@x1achilles99 actually, most indigenous peoples do not want to be called Indians. maybe you should educate yourself first. and no he doesn’t need to make it understandable or clarify anything to Americans. are they too dumb to educate themselves? I’m not American nor am I Canadian and I know this. it’s not that hard.

[@sledgerend]

FYI to Canadians, we don't give AF

[@quanbrooklynkid7776]

@@sledgerend W...

[@tobiascornille]

Johnny: I've looked at borders for countless hours on Google Maps Also Johnny: looking at maps and measurements is probably the most boring job

[@danieledwin6405]

Loool. I relate with him, cos while on the surface it appears boring, what makes it fun to do for hours is the internal dialogue you have the whole time. "Why is this part of the border curved? What's the story?"

[@gorf300]

I live in novascotia and I've never heard of this, thank you for sharing this information

[@milkyjelly892]

It's because Nova Scotia has its own lobster fishing problems

[@outlawkrump]

We luv the work, keep em coming.

[@beardedpaki]

"We've had people shot over lobster fishing conflicts... significant violence." Something tells me it was a one way ordeal. Looking at you, 'Murica. 👀

[@AmazingJellyfish]

Timely considering the lobster dispute in NS right now.

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

It was the other way around.

[@drinkmoreagua8984]

Nope, big shit going down in Canada over lobster right now

[@BlaBla-sd4is]

Sorry dude other way around

[@Alsatiagent]

@@AmazingJellyfish No shots fired there by either side.

[@mandem888]

Can you please make a border dispute video covering the Azeri-Armenian Nagorno Karabakh conflict PLEASEEEE! your unbiased style of journalism would be really clutch right now

[@Aryan-ck9lv]

Borders is cancelled. Atleast for this year

[@Benjibuilder]

@@Aryan-ck9lv that’s vox this is his own channel

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

My friend covered that.

[@spacedog127]

How is this unbiased. It clearly centre-leftist.

[@joshuakevinserdan9331]

can't do that right now because that would require going there. I mean he has to go there right, or he would rely on biased sources. He cannot afford to go there right now.

[@benlang1678]

any of these maine fishermen every hear of an aqua farm? lobster farms are a more secure and steady source of revenue, prevents overfishing in natural ecosystems, and you can avoid this dispute

[@jennahmirrim3787]

I knew this was going to be about lobster!! I am from Nova Scotia. I grew up listening to this dispute on the news over fishing rights with Maine. When I lived in Florida a few years ago...we bought some Maine Lobster... we were missing home at that point. We joked to each other and said, Yeah! Nova Scotia Lobster!! It tasted the same. It is Canadian!

[@midimusicforever]

Fuzzy borders? I bet that hasn't happened anywhere else before...

[@affanchowdhury2414]

@@user-eu2iu8mw1i and former British territories

[@mfbj1]

Two Johnny Harris videos consecutively, I am ecstatic :)

[@josh_isgone]

cant they just draw a straight line in the middle?

[@lapiswolf2780]

12:26 I did not expect to see this today! 🤣🤣🤣

[@colinwatt00]

Canada didn’t “inherit” the lighthouse and “occupy it” because the formation of Canada is FROM Britain, meaning it belongs to Canada, formerly Britain.

[@alexs1640]

Yes but considering Britain is STILL a country, Canada did inherit it, seeing as it is no longer Britain's.

[@colinwatt00]

@@alexs1640 Incorrect sir. If New York secedes from the United States of America, it does not inherit the Statue of Liberty from America because that would imply a transit of property. You cannot be ‘given’ something which you already possess.

[@alexs1640]

@@colinwatt00 actually, the Statue of Liberty is a national monument and does not belong to New York city or state. Furthermore, it is in New Jersey waters, so even if NY seceded, they couldn't take something that wasn't in their area of control. It's the same issue Californians came into when they talked of secession all those years ago. The Colorado river provides 60% of electricity and much of the irrigation to farms in California. If they left the Union, they'd no longer have a say or access to the dams further up the Colorado river. Anyway, digression aside, you are transferring the possession of something because Canadians are British, but British are not Canadian. That lighthouse was British. The British have no need of a lighthouse miles away from their country, so they gave it up. Likely that's what happened, they built and then abandoned it, so Canadians took it.

[@ArthurPekarsky]

@@alexs1640 afraid you're incorrect once again (partially) A quick search and you'll find this info online which I have copied and pasted here for you to read carefully: "The Statue of Liberty is closer to New Jersey than New York and, in fact, resides in New Jersey's waters. However, it has been established as part of the 8th Congressional District of New York according to the U.S. Geological Survey. New Jersey has never claimed rights to the island.' Also New York and New Jersey were both British colonies at one time. I can see the point that whatever was left here in the USA by the British wasn't "inherited". It's American, The east coast being formerly Great Britain as well. However, there's a major difference in that the Statue of Liberty was gifted to the US after the revolution by Eiffel from France. so therefore we were free of the Brits at that point. Lady Liberty has always been the property of the established, free from the British,. young but fully independent USA. You're little back and forth here intrigued me, and I felt a need to interject, but seriously... you guys are "arguing apples and oranges". Save for the part about who laid claim to the statue. And as I posted. NY laid claim to the statue, regardless of it being in NJ waters. Being that NY, nor NJ have plans to succeed anytime soon. You both made "kinda" valid points, but I just don't see this exchange between you two getting anywhere. Much like the stalemate between Maine and Canada. That whole thing seems like more of a Maine vs Canada dispute, then a U.S. vs Canada one. Which is why it too, will likely (for the foreseeable future) remain a stalemate as well.

[@alexs1640]

@@ArthurPekarsky true, but that's how we discover and learn, through debate. I hold no hard feelings and can see how this seems useless to outsiders. But through dialogue is how we grow. But I have to disagree with your disagreement. I may be wrong in that it's part of NY, but here's a copied and pasted excerpt from the Park Service website: "The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island, federal property administered by the National Park Service, located within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of New York. A pact between New York and New Jersey, ratified by Congress in 1834, declared this issue." So yes it's closer to NJ, but Congress certified it to NY in 1834. However, my point remained that it is federal monument on federal land administered by federal department. NY would not be allowed to keep the statue in its current form if it seceded. Considering it's in NJ waters, if NY seceded, the pact would likely be voided

[@graememccallum148]

Pretty sure we also had a border dispute along the pacific near Alaska. You’ll see Alaska juts down into Canada oddly covering a good chunk of the coast. Upon formation of the country it was a three way vote between the US, Canada, and Britain and Britain sided with the US knowing they would need to be buds. They already had Canada locked in as friends.

[@evaklum8974]

THE FRENCH CANADIANS ARE LATIN AMERICANS.....FRENCH LATIN LANGUAGE.....LE QUEBEC MONTREAL

[@Fanatec_is_TRASH]

the pig war over the san juan islands

[@brhougrou]

The one who owns the oldest treaty should own the island

[@thecolombian7536]

Canada: Chill bro, i told you is just lobster US: lobster--->lo--->ol+i--->oil

[@alperenerol1852]

Turkey & Greece: You have a maritime border dispute over an island? Oh, that's cute...how about an inhabitable rock? EDIT: New video idea?

[@andrewk9267]

Terrible idea. Interesting topic, but he'd have to disable Comments lol

[@diwashrai2084]

More context please

[@vedangarekar1390]

Cyprus has left the chat

[@nebuchadne33ar]

USA: Did he say OIL? FREEDOM JUICE

[@AnshumanKumar007]

Looks like the Island can use some democracy.

[@tommythelizard1521]

I hope you had a good time in marblehead. it's a fun place I used to live their and instantly recodnized that lighthouse :)

[@liban1277]

That's why Hollywood is opening new show called *Lobster Wars* staring: *Keenu Reeves and Mel Gibson*

[@itscxn6711]

Keanu Reefs🦞

[@joedavidson6556]

Well that definitely sounds like a let down. Hollywood won’t do commercial fishing any justice that’s for sure. It will probably incite more regulations from people who have never been near a commercial fishing vessel in their life.

[@DriversofOttawa]

Cool! I've actually visited this Island from Grand Manan, New Brunswick! We had to walk softly carrying a stick so that the birds wouldnt hit us on the head. They only allow 13 people from Canada and 13 from the USA to visit each day. We got to visit blinds where we could get close up photos of the puffins, razorbills, guillemots and terns.

[@justsomepersononyoutube9271]

I became an official member of the early squad

[@Henry-yo8ox]

That's the best way to say you are first

[@dreamguest3597]

I'm an early squid

[@rahul-qb9xy]

I am the first subscriber 😂

[@pradyumnarora490]

This introduction is like a college essay

[@j121212100]

this guy can really make geopolitics fun and exciting. it's mine... no it's mine.

[@JankyLV]

Best wishes from Latvia!

[@TheCodTage]

EYY

[@TaylorIserman]

Geez. The production value is through the roof but he takes forever to get to his point.

[@shivampaliwal8162]

12:22, hahaha this cracked me up! The next 5 seconds are pure gold!

[@angus7278]

There was another dispute along the current Canada/USA border, although technically between Britain and the USA. It was on San Juan Island, now part of Washington State but very close to Victoria, British Columbia. The dispute led to the “Pig War” of 1859.

[@michigan8789]

Yeah, we know.

[@banjo3960]

@@michigan8789 we get it you're American, just because you know doesnt mean the whole of Michigan knows

[@jonnyaxelsson9940]

Sweden and Finland have managed a similar conflict, also involving a lighthouse on a tiny island, under very comparable circumstances. "There is a lighthouse on the Finnish side of the current border, which has been unmanned and automated since 1979. When it was built by the Grand Duchy of Finland (then part of the Russian Empire) in 1885, the island was considered a no-man's land, so the lighthouse was simply built upon the highest point of the island. However, the location selected was within the Swedish portion of the island. As a result, the border was adjusted in 1985 so that the lighthouse is now located on Finnish territory. The adjustment was carried out such that no net transfer of territory occurred, and the ownership of the coastline was unchanged so as not to interfere with each country's fishing rights." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A4rket

[@carstenstoppok9230]

I highly recommend going to Google maps and checking out the ratings of the lighthouse, one of the funniest things I've ever seen

[@williamgandarillas2185]

Lol

[@williamgandarillas2185]

Damn, they really were the funniest reviews on earth, thanks for my daily dose of humor!

[@ethanvander-westhuizem9848]

As a country side merican where we ride horses As we mericans say Violence is always the answer

[@saintpaulieguy]

You should look into the Angle Inlet. A region of Minnesota that's surrounded by Canada and since the hardening of our borders due to COVID-19, has made life difficult for Minnesotans living there. Over the last couple of years they have even started creating ice highways on the lake to allow for easy access back to the US.

[@HoennMaster]

I’m so glad I started following these videos (and Borders RIP). This stuff absolutely fascinates me but no one I know gets it. It’s so cool to watch these videos. Thank you Johnny!

[@blackmorejourno]

So cool to see New Brunswick on one of your videos! Not only did my neighbours (Americans) and us have disputes but actually right now in Nova Scotia, the indigenous and non-indigenous are clashing over fisheries too.

[@sittingindetroit9204]

My simple mind would be that the latest treaty would be the governing treaty.

[@tgilliss1]

Wow, super trippy seeing that lighthouse at 0:17 - 0:21 ... I used to go there all the time back home in MA! That's in Marblehead, MA, one of my favorite spots to go climb the rocks and use the viewfinders to look out over the bay at Salem, Beverly and Gloucester, MA. :)

[@TheLexiJess]

Two videos in one week!? what did we do to deserve it?!

[@majesticseeotter_45]

No Adirondacks at all? :( *sad Adirondack noises*

[@robwarner5568]

I am so glad I found you you just make life better thank you Rob Vancouver

[@geralynlovell5616]

lol I live in Maine and my husband works for that news channel in Maine you showed!

[@ianmcburney5734]

Johnny, thank you for this video, and all your others. The work you do is incredibly important. Plus, you manage to present immensely important topics in a relatable and interesting way. I was really disappointed when I heard Vox was canceling “Borders.” But I am so happy that you are continuing to produce your trademark videos, and that you teamed up with The New York Times! Kudos. Keep up the great work! Your channel is always my first stop when I boot up KZbin. Stay safe, can’t wait to see your future work!

[@evaklum8974]

THE FRENCH CANADIANS ARE LATIN AMERICANS.....FRENCH LATIN LANGUAGE.....LE QUEBEC MONTREAL

[@Thomas-Bradley]

The way you advertise your sponsor is so creative and so smooth!

[@itsmebougie]

Split it down the middle Edit: just give us the half of the island with the light house on it

[@TristenArcand]

Canada and United States gonna going to war over lobster 💀