Canada's Oceans Act, now five years old, is a ground-breaking piece of legislation in marine law which provides a framework for the development of a national oceans strategy, integrated planning and management, and institutional responsibilities. In this article, the authors review the Act and its issues and argue that the uncertainties found there provide opportunities for participants in the Atlantic Canada offshore oil and gas industry to influence the development of an oceans policy, legal and institutional framework that accommodates all interests.