International Seabed Authority
The International Seabed Authority ( english International Seabed Authority - ISA) is an international organization based in Kingston (Jamaica) . It was in 1994 by the United Nations Law of the Sea (UNCLOS; United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea - UNCLOS) established. Part XI of the Convention regulates the establishment of the authority (see in particular Art. 156 UNCLOS).
assignment
Its mission is to manage the natural resources of the deep sea as the “common heritage of humanity”. On July 13, 2000 , the International Seabed Authority adopted the Deep Sea Mining Code for the Prospecting and Exploration of Polymetallic Nodules (see: Manganese Nodules ). In addition to manganese , the nodules lying on the sea floor contain mainly cobalt , copper and nickel . In the 1970s and 1980s , the tuber deposits were intensively investigated. Due to increased recycling and the substitution of these substances as well as new finds in Australia and Canada , there was ultimately no exploration. In addition, the technologies required for deep-sea mining are still very expensive.
Development towards dismantling
In July 2016, the authority reported on a draft guideline for the granting of mining licenses that could be issued to companies via states in the future. A machine built by the Canadian company Nautilus Minerals for harvesting manganese nodules off Papua New Guinea was pictured. Its front roller has rasping teeth and auger. At the same time, it is discussed that there is little light and nutrients in the deep sea, so that the regeneration of corals that are inevitably destroyed with them takes centuries.
organs
The authority consists of an assembly, a council, a secretariat, a legal and technical commission, a finance committee and an "authority company" involved in the economic exploitation of the seabed, cf. Art. 158 UNCLOS.
See also
literature
- Frank Reinhardt: Seabed and subsoil and their management by the International Seabed Authority , in: Series of publications by the Danziger Naturforschenden Gesellschaft , 2004, Volume 6, pages 192-207; ISBN 83-87359-84-X
Web links
- Official website of the International Seabed Authority (English, French, Spanish)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Elke Ziegler: Worldwide race for seabed treasures , science.orf.at, July 22, 2016, accessed July 22, 2016.
