Editing International Seabed Authority (section)

== Controversy ==

=== Environmental concerns and climate crisis ===
Environmentalists, scientists from 44 countries, Google, BMW and Volvo, World Wildlife Fund and several Pacific nations, including Fiji and Papua New Guinea, have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until more scientific research is conducted on its impact on the marine environment.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite web |date=2021-06-30 |title=Deep-sea mining could start in two years after Pacific nation of Nauru gives UN ultimatum |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/30/deep-sea-mining-could-start-in-two-years-after-pacific-nation-of-nauru-gives-un-ultimatum |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nationalgeographic.com"/><ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web |date=2022-04-01 |title=Seabed regulator accused of deciding deep sea's future 'behind closed doors' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/01/worlds-seabed-regulator-accused-of-reckless-failings-over-deep-sea-mining |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

Advocates for deep sea mining argue extraction of rare metals is critical for electric car batteries necessary to develop a fossil-free economy.<ref name="theguardian.com"/>

Opponents argue seabed mining could wreak havoc on the world's oceans, which act as a [[carbon sink]] absorbing a quarter of the world's carbon emissions each year.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Seabed Mining May Solve Our Energy Crisis. But At What Cost? |url=https://time.com/6094560/deep-sea-mining-environmental-costs-benefits/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421215906/https://time.com/6094560/deep-sea-mining-environmental-costs-benefits/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Le MV Esperanza (4).JPG|thumb|Greenpeace's ''Esperanza'']]
The environmental organization Greenpeace has raised objections about deep seabed mining disrupting the habitats of newly reported species, from crabs to whales to snails that survive without eating and congregate near bioluminescent thermal vents.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-02-26 |title=One scientist's mission to save the 'super weird' snails under the sea |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/26/the-rare-and-super-weird-creatures-at-risk-from-deep-sea-mining-aoe |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910091324/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/26/the-rare-and-super-weird-creatures-at-risk-from-deep-sea-mining-aoe |url-status=live }}</ref> Greenpeace has urged the ISA to further develop UNCLOS' foundational Article 136 principle "of common heritage to all mankind" to revise regulations and set conservation targets. In a 2018 Greenpeace Research Laboratories report the organization stressed the importance of protecting marine biodiversity from toxins released during seabed mining for natural gas and rare metals for photovoltaic cells.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Kathryn A. |last2=Thompson |first2=Kirsten F. |last3=Johnston |first3=Paul |last4=Santillo |first4=David |date=2018 |title=An Overview of Seabed Mining Including the Current State of Development, Environmental Impacts, and Knowledge Gaps |journal=Frontiers in Marine Science |volume=4 |doi=10.3389/fmars.2017.00418 |issn=2296-7745|doi-access=free |hdl=10871/130175 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Greenpeace maintains the "pro-exploitation" ISA is not the appropriate authority to regulate deep sea mining (DSM). In 2019 Greenpeace activists protested outside the annual meeting of the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica, calling for a global ocean treaty to ban deep sea mining in ocean sanctuaries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-07-03 |title=Greenpeace ship sets sail to highlight risk of mining below the waves |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mining-deepsea-idUSKCN1TY001 |access-date=2022-04-23 |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423221711/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mining-deepsea-idUSKCN1TY001 |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of the activists had sailed to Jamaica aboard Greenpeace's ship, the Esperanza, which travelled from the "Lost City in the mid-Atlantic", an area Greenpeace says is threatened by exploratory mining the ISA authorized.<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-07-23 |title=Greenpeace, JET protest against deep sea mining |url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20190723/greenpeace-jet-protest-against-deep-sea-mining-0 |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=jamaica-gleaner.com |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424221125/https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20190723/greenpeace-jet-protest-against-deep-sea-mining-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge said Greenpeace's support for a global ocean treaty, not the ISA, to control deep sea mining did not make sense.<ref name="Reuters">{{Cite news |date=2019-07-05 |title=U.N. deep sea mining body rejects Greenpeace criticism |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mining-deepsea-idUSKCN1U016E |access-date=2022-04-25 |archive-date=25 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425012330/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mining-deepsea-idUSKCN1U016E |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Concern over transparency issues ===
In 2022, The Guardian reported the ISA failed to renew the contract for Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB), a division of the [[International Institute for Sustainable Development]] (IISD), which covered past proceedings to maintain an independent record of the ISA. The decision came amid warnings from scientists that commercial ocean floor mining "would be “dangerous”, “reckless” and “irreversible” in its harm to the ecosystem. In its defense, the ISA said ENB's non-renewal was triggered by budget cuts. The Guardian also reported that Germany and environmentalists had raised questions about the lack of transparency by the ISA's Legal and Technical Commission (LTC), which conducts closed meetings to set standards and issue guidelines for seabed mining.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

In response to criticism, ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge defended ISA as a "transparent public forum of consensus-building."<ref name="Reuters"/>

=== Charges of conflict of interest ===
In 2022, the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that the International Seabed Authority faced criticisms over conflicts of interest.<ref name="Facebook"/> The ''LA Times'' reported that the ISA was scheduled to approve seabed mining, despite concerns by scientists and environmentalists about the environmental impact.<ref name="Facebook"/> ISA head Michael Lodge had criticized these groups, saying there was "a growing environmental absolutism and dogmatism bordering on fanaticism" and arguing that seabed mining was "predictable and manageable".<ref name="Facebook"/> Scientists and members of Lodge's staff objected to Lodge's appearance in a mining company video seeking investments in robotic exploration for minerals to manufacture electric vehicles. In the video, Lodge said his agency supported a 15-year exploration contract because "land-based resources are becoming increasingly difficult to access."<ref name="Facebook"/>

=== United States' non-ratification of UNCLOS ===
The exact nature of the ISA's mission and authority has been questioned by opponents of the Law of the Sea Treaty who are generally skeptical of multilateral engagement by the United States.<ref>[http://www.unlawoftheseatreaty.org Law of the Sea Treaty.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909025127/http://www.unlawoftheseatreaty.org/|date=9 September 2018}} National Center for Public Policy Research.</ref> In 2007, although the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of treaty ratification, the full Senate failed to ratify the treaty, with some Republicans arguing UNCLOS might threaten national security by interfering with ocean military operations and hinder seabed mining corporations by imposing environmental regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-10-31 |title=U.S. Senate panel backs Law of the Sea treaty |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN31335584 |access-date=2022-04-20 |archive-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420220727/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN31335584 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. WILL NOT SIGN SEA LAW TREATY | work=The New York Times |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1982/07/10/007695.html?pageNumber=5 |access-date=2022-04-22 |language=en}}</ref>

One of the main anti-ratification arguments being a charge that the ISA is flawed or unnecessary. In its original form, the Convention included certain provisions that some found objectionable, such as:
* Use of collected money for [[wealth redistribution]] in addition to ISA administration<ref>{{cite web |title=Opponents who argue UNCLOS would impose U.N. law on U.S. ignore long negotiation history and U.S. leadership in writing treaty {{!}} UNCLOSdebate.org |url=https://www.unclosdebate.org/evidence/1133/opponents-who-argue-unclos-would-impose-un-law-us-ignore-long-negotiation-history-and |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.unclosdebate.org |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422111258/https://www.unclosdebate.org/evidence/1133/opponents-who-argue-unclos-would-impose-un-law-us-ignore-long-negotiation-history-and |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Mandatory technology transfer<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. would be obligated to transfer technology under UNCLOS {{!}} UNCLOSdebate.org |url=https://www.unclosdebate.org/argument/662/us-would-be-obligated-transfer-technology-under-unclos |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.unclosdebate.org |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422111256/https://www.unclosdebate.org/argument/662/us-would-be-obligated-transfer-technology-under-unclos |url-status=live }}</ref>

Because of these concerns, the United States pushed for modification of the Convention, obtaining a 1994 Agreement on Implementation that somewhat mitigates them and thus modifies the ISA's authority.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 1994 Agreement explicitly dealt with and resolved concerns U.S. had with ratifying UNCLOS {{!}} UNCLOSdebate.org |url=https://www.unclosdebate.org/argument/939/1994-agreement-explicitly-dealt-and-resolved-concerns-us-had-ratifying-unclos |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.unclosdebate.org |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707161810/https://www.unclosdebate.org/argument/939/1994-agreement-explicitly-dealt-and-resolved-concerns-us-had-ratifying-unclos |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this change the United States has not ratified the Convention and so is not a member of ISA, although it sends sizable delegations to participate in meetings as an observer.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN31335584 U.S. Senate panel backs Law of the Sea treaty | Reuters.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214081844/http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN31335584 |date=14 February 2009 }} 31 October 2007.</ref>

As an observer, not an UNCLOS signatory, the U.S. will not be allowed to vote on approval of final commercial mining regulations and will be unable to sponsor companies to apply for contracts in international waters. This is because the ISA requires contractors be sponsored by a state that is a signatory to UNCLOS. U.S.-based military contractor Lockheed Martin, however, is participating in two British deep sea mining projects.<ref name="Wolman"/>

=== Palau's advocacy against deep-sea mining ===
[[Palau]] was the first country to call for a moratorium, or precautionary pause, on deep-sea mining until the impact of such a practice is better understood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alberts |first=Elizabeth Claire |date=2024-01-29 |title=Palau is the first nation to ratify treaty to protect high seas |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2024/01/palau-is-the-first-nation-to-ratify-treaty-to-protect-high-seas/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Mongabay Environmental News |language=en-US}}</ref> By July 10, 2023, 17 countries had called for a deep-sea mining moratorium or pause, including Germany, New Zealand, Spain, France, Sweden, Fiji, and the Federated States of Micronesia.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Fernandez |first=Surangel S. Whipps, Jr and Daniela |date=2023-07-10 |title=Deep Sea Mining Isn't a Viable Climate Solution |url=https://time.com/6292829/deep-sea-mining-not-climate-solution/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref>

On July 29, 2024, President [[Surangel Whipps Jr.|Surangel S. Whipps Jr.]] of Palau delivered an address titled "[[Upholding the Common Heritage of Humankind]]" to the 29th General Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica. In his speech, President Whipps emphasized the importance of safeguarding the deep ocean from exploitation and modern-day colonialism. He highlighted Palau’s deep cultural and economic ties to the ocean and reiterated the call for an immediate moratorium on deep-sea mining, citing the associated environmental risks and uncertainties. In his speech he referred to the ocean as "Our greatest ally in our fight against climate change," highlighting its role as the largest carbon sink on the planet. He underscored the critical role deep ocean ecosystems play in global environmental health and advocated for prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term economic gains. He urged the assembly to act responsibly on behalf of future generations, reinforcing the deep seabed’s status as the "common heritage of (hu)mankind."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tahir |first=Tariq |title=Deep-sea mining's future rests on crucial vote |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/climate/2024/08/01/deep-sea-minings-future-rests-on-crucial-vote/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Stephen |date=31 July 2024 |title=Nations join ranks to delay deep-sea mining approval by UN regulator |url=https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/pacific/pac-deepsea-isa-07312024225754.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-06 |title=With deep-sea mining applications set to open, fears grow for the Pacific |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-07/pacific-fears-grow-as-deep-sea-mining-applications-set-to-open/102182066 |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

The number of countries against the imminent start of mining for metallic nodules on the seafloor increased to 32 during the 29th ISA annual assembly, with Austria, Guatemala, Honduras, Malta, and Tuvalu joining the list.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nations join ranks to delay deep-sea mining approval by UN regulator |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/environment/un-deep-sea-mining-08012024005625.html/ampRFA}}</ref>