New publication on the current status of deep-sea mining governance and environmental considerations

Catherine Blanchard (Utrecht University) has published a paper in Marine Policy. The paper, co-authored with Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb (University of Eastern Finland & Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development), Emily Jones and Michelle Taylor (University of Essex), is entitled “The current status of deep-sea mining governance at the International Seabed Authority”.

In the paper, the authors describe the current state of deep-sea mining governance in areas beyond national jurisdiction, providing an accessible overview of the structure and functioning of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), as well as some background information on the different instruments developed by the ISA for deep-sea mining regulation, control and management. In particular, the article focuses on the way environmental considerations are currently being discussed and negotiated under the Draft Exploitation Regulations.

The research for this paper was conducted in the framework of a project focusing on the incorporation of Rights of Nature into deep-sea mining regulations conducted at Essex University (UK).

The paper is available open access.