Regional environmental management plans

Regional environmental management plans (REMPs) are an essential element of the strategy of ISA to ensure the protection of  the marine environment, as reflected in its Strategic Plan for the period 2019-2023 (ISBA/24/A/10) and associated High Level Action Plan (HLAP). REMPs are developed to:

• provide the relevant organs of ISA, as well as contractors and their sponsoring States, with proactive area-based and other management tools to support informed decision-making processes that balance resource development with conservation;
• provide ISA with a clear and consistent mechanism to identify particular areas thought to be representative of the full range of habitats, biodiversity and ecosystem structures and functions within the relevant management area;
• provide those areas with appropriate levels of protection; and
• help ISA meet globally agreed goals and targets, such as the ones set out by the 2030 Agenda and in particular Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water).

ISA has established and implemented the environmental management plan for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) and is in the process of developing REMPs for the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Northwest Pacific and Indian Oceans.

A standardized approach is also being developed to facilitate the further development, review and approval of the REMPs.

This section provides information on:

• Standardized approach to REMP development, approval and review
• Environmental management plan for the CCZ
• Draft REMP for the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
• Progress in other priority regions