International Seabed Authority (ISA)
Why in News:- India is set to apply for licenses to explore deep-sea minerals in the Pacific Ocean, to secure critical supplies for energy transition technologies.
UPSC Syllabus:
Mains: G.S 2: International Relations
International Seabed Authority (ISA)
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• It is mandated to organize and regulate activities on the seabed and ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction, particularly those relating to mineral resources.
• The objective of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is to ensure that marine resources are used sustainably and that the benefits derived from their exploitation are shared equitably among all countries, particularly developing countries.
Structure of International Seabed Authority
Assembly
• The Assembly is the supreme organ of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), comprising all member countries.
• It determines the overall policy of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and guides on important issues. Each member country has one vote in the Assembly.
Council
- The Council serves as the executive organ of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Assembly’s policies and decisions.
- It consists of 36 members, who are elected from the Assembly and represent various regional groups and interests.
Secretariat
• The Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
• It is headed by the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the Assembly
• The Secretariat provides administrative and logistical support to the organs of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and ensures the implementation of their decisions.
Functions of the International Seabed Authority
Granting licenses for exploration and exploitation
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) grants licenses to countries and entities for the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the deep sea.
• So far, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 31 exploration licenses, two of which have been granted to India for areas in the Indian Ocean.
Environmental Protection
• One of the main functions of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is to ensure that deep-sea mining activities do not harm the marine environment.
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) develops regulations and guidelines to minimize environmental impacts and monitors compliance through environmental impact assessments and ongoing monitoring programs.
Promoting Marine Scientific Research
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) promotes and encourages marine scientific research in the international seabed.
• It supports research initiatives and collaborates with scientific institutions to enhance understanding of the deep-sea environment and the potential impacts of mining activities.
Equitable Sharing of Benefits
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is committed to ensuring that the benefits arising from the exploitation of marine resources are equitably shared.
• This includes sharing the financial and other economic benefits derived from mining activities, with a particular focus on benefiting developing countries.
Financing and Oversight of the International Seabed Authority
Funding Sources
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is funded through a combination of assessed contributions from Member States and fees paid by contractors.
• Member States make contributions based on an agreed scale, similar to the United Nations system.
• Contractors pay fees for application, exploration, and exploitation activities.
Financial Oversight
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has strong financial oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
• The Finance Committee, composed of representatives from Member States, oversees the budget and financial management of the ISA.
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is also regularly audited by external auditors.
Environmental Oversight
• The Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) plays a key role in environmental oversight.
• It reviews environmental impact assessments submitted by contractors and makes recommendations on environmental protection measures.
• The LTC also monitors ongoing mining activities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Challenges Associated with the International Seabed Authority (ISA)
Environmental Concerns
• One of the major challenges faced by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is to ensure that deep-sea mining activities do not cause significant harm to the marine environment.
• The deep-sea ecosystem is still not fully understood, and mining activities can disrupt these fragile environments, leading to loss of biodiversity and other environmental impacts
Regulatory Developments
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is still in the process of developing comprehensive regulations for deep-sea mining.
• Delays in finalizing these regulations have created uncertainty for countries and companies interested in deep-sea mining.
• Developing a balanced regulatory framework that addresses environmental concerns, economic interests, and technical challenges is complex and time-consuming.
Equitable Benefit Sharing
• Ensuring that the benefits from deep-sea mining are shared equitably, particularly with developing countries, remains a challenge.
• some concerns developed nations and large companies may dominate the benefits, leaving poor nations at a disadvantage.
Geopolitical Concerns
• The distribution of mining licenses and the regulation of international waters often lead to geopolitical tensions.
• Countries with significant technological and financial resources may have an upper hand, leading to disputes over appropriate access to and use of seafloor resources.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that was adopted in 1982.
• It defines the rights and responsibilities of nations concerning the use of the world’s oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.
• UNCLOS is often referred to as the “Constitution for the Oceans.”
Key Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Territorial sea: Extends to 12 nautical miles from the baselines, where the coastal state exercises sovereignty.
Exclusive economic zone (EEZ): Extends to 200 nautical miles from the baselines, within which the coastal state has the right to exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources.
Continental Shelf: Coastal States have the right to harvest mineral and non-living resources on the continental shelf, which extends to 200 nautical miles or more if the shelf naturally extends further.
High Seas: Areas beyond national jurisdiction are open to all States, subject to freedom of navigation, overflight and fishing, etc.
Responsibilities
Resource Rights: Coastal States have the exclusive right to exploit and manage both living and non-living resources in the waters, seabed, and subsoil.
Environmental Protection: Coastal States are responsible for the conservation and management of natural resources and for the protection of the marine environment within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Scientific Research: Coastal States have the right to regulate and authorize marine scientific research carried out by foreign entities within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Government Initiatives
Polymetallic Nodules Programme
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is leading the Polymetallic Nodules (PMN) Programme, which aims to explore and assess the resource potential of polymetallic nodules in the Indian Ocean.
• The program involves extensive marine surveys, environmental impact assessments, and the development of mining technologies.
Applying for Exploration Licences
• India is preparing to apply for exploration licenses in the Pacific Ocean, with a focus on the CCZ.
• This application process involves close collaboration between the MoES and the mining industry to ensure compliance with international regulations and environmental standards.
Technological Developments
• To support deep-sea mining activities, the Indian government is investing in the development of advanced technologies.
• These include remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), deep-sea drilling equipment, and environmental monitoring systems.
• These technologies aim to minimize the environmental impact of mining operations and ensure efficient resource extraction.
Environmental Impact Assessment
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a critical component of India’s deep-sea mining initiative.
• These assessments aim to understand the potential impacts of mining activities on the marine ecosystem and develop mitigation strategies.
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has conducted several EIAs in collaboration with scientific institutions and international organizations.
International Collaboration
• India is actively seeking international collaboration to enhance its deep-sea mining capabilities.
• Partnerships with countries such as Japan, Germany, and the United States provide opportunities for technology transfer, joint research, and capacity building.
Regulatory Framework
• India is contributing to the development of international regulations for deep-sea mining through its participation in the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
• By engaging in regulatory discussions, India aims to ensure that the global framework for deep-sea mining is robust, equitable, and environmentally friendly.