China Minmetals Corporation launches stakeholder consultation on environmental impact statement for polymetallic nodule collector test

CMC plans to conduct a test of its nodule prototype collector vehicle to collect polymetallic nodules from a depth ranging from 5,000 to 5,500 metres between July and October 2025. This should allow CMC to validate the nodule collector’s efficiency, reliability and economic feasibility. Environmental monitoring to evaluate potential impact on deep-sea ecosystems will be conducted simultaneously. This prototype will operate in Block A-5 of the CMC’s contract area.

Call for applications to the Environmental Impact Assessment training course for exploration activities in the Area to be held at the ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre open until 31 May 2024

The Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is inviting interested candidates to apply to the upcoming training course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for exploration activities carried out in the Area, organized in partnership with the ISA-Egypt Joint Training and Research Centre established by the ISA Assembly in July 2023.

ISA concludes engagement at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference with renewed support and commitment towards its MSR Action Plan in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science

Barcelona, Spain – On Friday, 12 April, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) concluded its engagement at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, where scientists, policymakers and industry leaders convened to discuss cooperation, synergies and renewed commitments towards advancing marine science and knowledge.

International expert workshop concludes discussions on the best approaches to harness advanced technologies for the protection and sustainable use of the international seabed area

Porto, Portugal— On Friday, 5 April, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in collaboration with the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) of Portugal, successfully concluded the first international expert workshop entitled “Charting future horizons: harnessing advanced technologies for the protection and sustainable use of the international seabed area.”

ISA Council closes the first part of its 29th session with approval of MoU with FAO and further progress in negotiations on the draft exploitation regulations

Kingston, Jamaica – On 29 March 2024, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) successfully concluded the first part of its 29th session, marking significant progress in the ongoing negotiations of the draft exploitation regulations for mineral resources in the international seabed area (the Area).

Successful applicants announced for the “One Thousand Reasons” campaign

In a major stride towards understanding the mysteries of our oceans, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in collaboration with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and supported by the European Union, is excited to announce the successful applicants for the groundbreaking “One Thousand Reasons” campaign. The response was unprecedented, with 65 applications from 21 countries among all five regional groups of ISA Members and one country with observer status. This initiative signifies a monumental effort to describe at least one thousand new deep-sea species by 2030, enhancing our collective knowledge of life in areas beyond national jurisdiction.