KINGSTON, JAMAICA, 4 October 2011 – The International Seabed Authority in collaboration with the Government of Fiji and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) SOPAC Division is organising an International Workshop on Environmental Management Needs for Exploration and Exploitation of Deep Sea Minerals, to be held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort in Nadi, Fiji Islands from 29 November to 2 December 2011.
This initiative reflects the increasing interest and associated concerns on the potential impacts of deep sea minerals exploration and mining and how responsible authorities (i.e. governments and the ISA) will regulate this emerging economic development opportunity in a sustainable manner both within national jurisdiction and in the Area.
The objectives of this workshop are:
- To increase awareness of the nature of the mineral resources in marine areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (“the Area”), and on the outer continental shelf, and the measures taken by the International Seabed Authority with regard to the protection of the marine environment from the harmful effects of deep seabed mining and the applicability of such measures to the development of marine minerals within national jurisdiction.
- To formulate preliminary recommendations for environmental impact assessments (EIA) of seabed mining both within and beyond national jurisdiction.
Although neither the Authority nor SPC/SOPAC can provide financial support, anyone interested in participating in the workshop can contact Adam Cook.
For further information and to access the draft agenda please click the workshop webpage.