On 27 February 2023, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (Ifremer) signed a five-year contract extension for exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean. This is a second five-year extension of the exploration contract initially granted and signed by ISA and Ifremer on 20 June 2001.
The initial contract was signed for 15 years and extended for a five-year period in 2016. On 6 December 2021, the Council of ISA approved a second application for an extension by Ifremer (ISBA/26/C/53). However, France has been exploring the area covered by the plan of work of the contract since 1987, under the registered pioneer investor regime, revoked with the entry into force of the 1994 Agreement.
This new five-year extension, granted on the basis that the contractor will be in a position to proceed to exploitation at the end of the extension period, will allow Ifremer to acquire high-resolution data both for the mineral resource estimate and the characterization of different types of habitats, using tools like its own-developed deep-sea autonomous underwater vehicle. Ifremer intends to leverage international collaboration allowing the pooling of data acquisition processes, including work at sea and the development of internationally approved standardized methodologies, to achieve its objectives.
“I very much welcome the signing of this extension agreement as a testament to the renewed commitment by Ifremer and France, as sponsoring State, to make all necessary efforts to comply with the requirements set out by the exploration contract granted by ISA in good faith and, more importantly, the overall regime set out by Part XI of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement,” said ISA Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge during the signing ceremony.
“The contribution of Ifremer, throughout 36 years of exploration of the Area, first as a registered pioneer investor and then under the contract signed with ISA, has been critical in advancing global knowledge and understanding of the deep sea and its ecosystems. Such knowledge has already benefited humankind greatly. Moreover, as Members of ISA progress in their discussions for the elaboration of robust exploitation regulations, the work of contractors continues to be the primary source of science and knowledge that informs the design of a unique global regime for the co-management of a global commons,” he added.
Ambassador Guyonvarch, Permanent Representative of France to ISA, noted: “By signing the extension of a contract for the exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Ifremer and its sponsoring State, France, continue their involvement in deepening scientific knowledge of the mineral resources of the Area, the associated marine ecosystems and capacity-building for developing States for the next five years.”
Mr. Francois Houllier, Chairman and CEO of Ifremer, further stated, “By extending this contract with ISA, Ifremer commits to continue, under the patronage of France, their long-standing research to understand better deep-sea biodiversity, mineral resources and the impacts of current and future human activities. Furthermore, the scientific data and knowledge thus acquired will contribute to informing the ongoing international negotiations towards the effective and sustainable protection of these fragile environments that need to be better known. On these matters, Ifremer is also keen to pursue its capacity-building activities in partnership with developing countries.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Stefanie Neno, Communications Specialist, ISA, sneno@isa.org.jm