Potential seabed mining

The debate on deep-sea mining has intensified in recent years. Policymakers, the environmental community, deep-sea mining companies, the media and the general public are following the work of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) with growing interest, as the controversy over the commercial exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources comes to light.

From July 10 to 28, three researchers collaborated to share their observations at the latest annual meeting of the International Seabed Authority. These three researchers

• Dr. Catherine Blanchard, Assistant Professor of Public International Law at Utrecht University;
• Dr. Pierre-Yves Cadalen, researcher in political science – specializing in international relations – at the AMURE joint research unit, Université de Bretagne Occidentale;
• Tiago Pires da Cruz, doctoral student in political science, specializing in the governance of environmental issues related to the ocean and seabed mining at the Centre Émile Durkheim, University of Bordeaux;
  have been accredited by the DOSI Collective, a global network of experts integrating science, technology, politics, law and economics to advise on ecosystem-based management of deep-sea resource use and strategies to maintain their integrity.

The stakes were high, as the International Seabed Authority, the Kingston-based international organization responsible for governing the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, was under intense pressure.

Discussions began on July 10, the day after the end of the “two-year rule” that could accelerate the industry’s mining timetable. Negotiations focused on establishing a Mining Code that would regulate the exploitation of seabed mineral resources.

Despite the fact that scientific uncertainties remain extremely high – some 90% of species have yet to be discovered – a number of countries have come out in favor of mining. Many parties (scientists, states, NGOs) also mobilized during the three weeks of negotiations, expressing their fears and calling for a ban on such activity, or at least a moratorium, in the name of the precautionary principle. Consensus was hard to reach.

In the end, the Board adopted the following decisions

• the creation of a position of interim CEO of the Enterprise (the operational department of the ISA);
• the understanding and application of section 1, paragraph 15, of the Annex to the 1994 Implementing Agreement on the two-year rule;
• the timetable following expiry of the two-year period.

The Assembly, for its part, agreed on the following points:

• the establishment of a general policy by the Assembly for the conservation of the marine environment ;
• the terms of reference for the periodic review of the international regime of the Area in accordance with Article 154 of UNCLOS (periodic review).
  This last item will be on the agenda of the next session (29th), to be held in June 2024.

The Assembly also decided to extend the current 2019-2023 strategic plan by two years.

Their day-to-day observations can be consulted via the link below:

https://sargadom.com/project-representatives-report-live-from-the-isa-council/