Deep-sea mining conference starts discussions on draft mining code
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), the body that regulates deep-sea mining in international waters, held its annual meeting in Kingston, Jamaica last month. The rich deposits of highly valuable rare earth metals havecompanies chomping at the bit to get a piece of the deep-sea action and plans to seabed-mine national waters are underway in a number of countries. To date, only exploration licenses have been issued for international waters but it is only a matter of time before these licenses turn into exploitation, putting deep-sea habitats at risk unless regulations ensure deep-sea habitats are effectively protected BEFORE deep-sea mining has started, rather than when it is too late. Show your concern by signing and sharing this petition.
Key news from the meeting includes the election of a new Secretary General: Michael Lodge. He will have lots to keep him busy in the coming years with discussions on the draft regulations for seabed exploitation underway (feedback from stakeholders can be given by 2nd November- see page 8), as well as a review on how the Authority conducts business, as much of its decisions currently are made behind closed doors. This reform has been welcomed by NGOs that have criticised the Authority for its lack of transparency and accountability to date.
