Publications

ISA’s publications are classified into the following categories:

General: This category includes books, such as The Law of the Sea: Compendium of Basic Documents, Legislative History of the “Enterprise,” and other publications that are intended to add to the published literature on a particular topic. The audience for these publications tends to be a broad audience of legal, policy and scientific experts, as well as libraries.

Technical studies: This series includes scientific studies, papers and manuals related to the work of ISA aimed at facilitating the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for its various actors. The series is targeted mainly at legal or scientific experts;

Studies and reports: This category includes ISA’s project documents, manuals and publications in various formats. These publications are targeted at a wider audience of stakeholders with interest in the work of ISA.

Workshop reports: These reports include the proceedings of workshops organized by ISA alone or in partnership with other organizations or institutions.

Policy briefs: These papers provide a concise summary of an issue related to the work of ISA and the policy options for dealing with it, along with recommendations. They are aimed mainly at government policymakers and other experts.

Discussion papers: These papers are topical and usually relate to matters, concepts or issues of interest or under discussion by organs of ISA in the context of the mandate assigned to it by UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement. The audiences include both experts and practitioners.

Briefing papers and policy briefs

Policy brief 06/2024

ISA’s contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions

Policy Brief 05/2024

Participation of Member States in meetings of ISA organs

Policy brief 04/2024

Environmental DNA studies have the potential to advance deep-sea biodiversity knowledge.

Policy Brief 03/2024

Current status of the reserved areas with the International Seabed Authority.

Policy Brief 02/2024

Advancing women’s empowerment and leadership in Deep-Sea-Related disciplines and research: from commitment to action.

Policy Brief 01/2024

The International Seabed Authority and the Big Ocean States: Charting the future for resilient prosperity.

Policy Brief 01/2023

How to apply for an exploration contract for mineral resources in the area

Policy Brief 02/2022

The

The environmental compensation fund

Policy Brief 01/2022

Equitable Sharing of Financial and Other Economic Benefits From Deep-Sea Mining

Policy Brief 01/2021

National Capacity Development Priorities Identified by Members of the International Seabed Authority in 2020

Policy Brief 01/2019

Current Status of the Reserved Areas with the International Seabed Authority

Briefing Paper 02/2018

Design of IRZs and PRZs in Deep-sea Mining Contract Areas

Briefing Paper 01/2018

Deep Seabed Mining Liability: Potential Legal Pathways

Briefing Paper 04/2017

Marine Minerals Resources of Africa’s Continental Shelf and Adjacent International Seabed Area

Briefing Paper 03/2017

Contribution of the International Seabed Authority to the UN Ocean Conference

Briefing Paper 02/2017

Dialogue on Practical Utility of EIA Technology (EcoDeep-SIP Workshop II)

Briefing Paper 01/2017

Towards an ISA Environmental Management Strategy for the Area

Briefing Paper 02/2016

Environmental, Legal and Technical Challenges for Deep Sea Mining

Briefing Paper 01/2016

Polymetallic Nodule Resource Classification Workshop

Briefing Paper 04/2015

Mineral Exploitation in the Area. Joint CIL-ISA Workshop

Briefing Paper 03/2015

Submarine Cables and Deep Seabed Activities in the Area.

Briefing Paper 02/2015

Deep Sea Mining: Challenges and Opportunities for Africa

Briefing Paper 01/2015

Taxonomic Standardization Workshop: Deep Sea Macrofauna of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone

Briefing Paper 02/14

Taxonomic Standardization Workshop Series 1: Deep Sea Megafauna on the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Briefing Paper 01/14

Deep Sea Mining: Environmental, Legal and Technical Challenges for Developing Countries.

Briefing Paper 01/12

A Geological Model of Polymetallic Nodule Deposits in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone.

Briefing Paper 02/12

Prospects for Rate Earth Elements from Marine Minerals [Briefing Paper 02/12]

Brochures

Status of exploration activities in the Area – July 2024
Status of exploration activities in the Area – Feb 2024
The Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative – 2023
DeepData Brochure
The Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative
The International Seabed Authority
Seabed Technology
Cobalt-Rich Crusts
Polymetallic Sulphides
Polymetallic Nodules
Marine Mineral Resources
Protection of the Seabed Environment

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Special Publications

The International Seabed Authority at 25
ISA: Celebrating Twenty Years
Celebrating 20 years
Proceedings of the 20th Anniversary Commemoration of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (A joint UN-DOALOS/ISA Publication)
Proceedings of the Tenth Anniversary Commemoration of the establishment of the International Seabed Authority

General

Secretary-General Annual Report 2024 – Leading precautionary and responsible governance of the ocean global commons based on science, solidarity and transparency
A review of the contribution of ISA to the objectives of the 2023 Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdictions
ISA-China JTRC annual report 2022
Secretary-General Annual Report 2023 – Just and equitable management of the common heritage of humankind
Capacity Development Strategy
Secretary-General Annual Report 2022 – Ensuring the sustainable management of the deep seabed and its resources for the benefit of humankind
Empowering women from LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS in deep-sea research
Empowering women from LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS in deep-sea research – Executive Summary
ISA-China JTRC annual report 2021
The Contribution of the International Seabed Authority to the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Landlocked Developing Countries and the Law of the Sea: An Ocean of Opportunity
Least Developed Countries and the Law of the Sea: An Ocean Of Opportunity
Small Island Developing States and the Law of the Sea: An Ocean Of Opportunity
Action Plan for Marine Scientific Research in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
Enhancing the Role and Participation of Women in Deep-Sea Research
Women In Science Leaflet
Secretary-General Annual Report 2020 – Achieving the sustainable use of deep-sea minerals for the benefit of humankind
Review Of Capacity-Building Programmes And Initiatives Implemented By The International Seabed Authority 1994-2019
International Seabed Authority Handbook 2019
A Study Related to Issues on the Operationalisation of the Enterprise
Consolidated Regulations and Recommendations on Prospecting and Exploration
International Seabed Authority: Basic Texts
Secretary-General’s Informal Consultations on Outstanding Issues relating to the Deep Seabed Mining Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: Collected Documents
Marine Mineral Resources: Scientific Advances and Economic Perspectives
Legislative history of the “Enterprise” under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the Convention;
The Development of the Regime for Deep Seabed Mining
Mining of Cobalt Rich Ferromanganese Crusts and Polymetallic Sulphides

Technical Studies

Technical Study 33: Potential interactions between fishing and mineral resource-related activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction: a spatial analysis
Technical Study 32: Study of the potential impact of polymetallic nodules production in the Area on the economies of developing land-based producers of those metals which are likely to be most seriously affected
Technical Study 31: Equitable sharing of financial and other economic benefits from deep-seabed mining
Technical Study 30: Marine mineral resources: scientific and technological advances
Technical Study 29: Remote monitoring systems in support of inspection and compliance in the Area
Technical Study 28: Regional environmental assessment of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Technical Study 27: Study on an Environmental Compensation Fund for Activities in the Area
Technical Study 26: Competencies of the International Seabed Authority and the International Labour Organization in the context of activities in the Area
Technical Study 11: Towards the Development of a Regulatory Framework for Polymetallic Nodule Exploitation in the Area
Technical Study 25: Competencies of the International Seabed Authority and the International Maritime Organization in the context of activities in the Area
Technical Study 24: Deep Seabed Mining and Submarine Cables
Technical Study 23: Towards the Development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan for Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts in the Northwest Pacific Ocean
Technical Study 22: Developing a Framework for Regional Environmental Management Plans for Polymetallic Sulphide Deposits on Mid-Ocean Ridges
Technical Study 21: Report of ISA Workshop on the Design of “Impact Reference Zones” and “Preservation Reference Zones” In Deep-Sea Mining Contract Areas
Technical Study 20: Marine Mineral Resources of Africa’s Continental Shelf and Adjacent International Seabed Area
Technical Study 19: Polymetallic Nodules Resource Classification
Technical Study 18: EcoDeep-SIP Workshop II
Technical Study 17: Towards an ISA Environmental Management Strategy for the Area
Technical Study 16: Environmental Assessment and Management for Exploitation of Minerals in the Area
Technical Study 15: A Study of Key Terms in Article 82 of UNCLOS
Technical Study 14: Submarine Cables and Deep Seabed Mining
Technical Study 13: Deep Sea Macrofauna of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone
Technical Study 12: Implementation of Article 82 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Technical Study 10: Environmental Management Needs for Exploration and Exploitation of Deep Sea Minerals
Technical Study 9: Environmental Management of Deep-Sea Chemosynthetic Ecosystems: Justification of and Considerations for a Spatially-Based Approach
Technical Study 8: Fauna of Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crust Seamounts
Technical Study 7: Marine Benthic Nematode Molecular Protocol Handbook (Nematode Barcoding)
Technical Study 6: A Geological Model of Polymetallic Nodule Deposits in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Technical Study 5: Non-Living Resources of the Continental Shelf Beyond 200 Nautical Miles: Speculations on the Implementation of Article 82 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Technical Study 4: Issues associated with the Implementation of Article 82 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Technical Study 3: Biodiversity, Species Ranges and Gene Flow in the Abyssal Pacific Nodule Province: Predicting and Managing the Impacts of Deep Seabed Mining
Technical Study 2: Polymetallic massive sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts: status and prospects

Workshop Reports

Enhancing genetic approaches to advance deep-sea taxonomy workshop report
Report of the inception workshop of the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative
Workshop on the Development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan for the Area of the Northwest Pacific
Africa’s Deep Seabed Resources Project: Third Workshop Report
Report of the workshop on enhancing image-based biodiversity assessments to advance deep-sea taxonomy
Report of the workshop on Deep-Sea Taxonomic Standardization: Strategic Approaches for collaboration
International workshop on capacity development, resources and needs assessment
Deep CCZ Biodiversity Synthesis Workshop
Report of the workshop on the regional environmental management plan for the Area of the northern mid-Atlantic ridge
Africa’s Deep Seabed Resources Project: Second Workshop Report
Polymetallic Nodules Resource Classification: Proceedings
Polymetallic Nodule Mining Technology: Current Trends and Challenges Ahead
Establishment of a Geological Model of Polymetallic Nodule Deposits in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone of the Equatorial North Pacific Ocean
Standardization of Environmental Data and Information – Development of Guidelines
Prospects for International Collaboration in Marine Environmental Research To Enhance Understanding OF the Deep Sea Environment
Proposed Technologies for Mining Deep-Seabed Polymetallic Nodules
Deep-Seabed Polymetallic Nodule Exploration: Development of Environmental Guidelines
Workshop on Minerals Other than Polymetallic Nodules Of the International Seabed Area
Polymetallic Sulphides and Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts Deposits: Establishment of Environmental Baselines and An Associated Monitoring Programme During Exploration

Selected Decisions

Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty Eighth Session (2023)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty Seventh Session (2022)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty Sixth Session (2020-1)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty Fifth Session (2019)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty Fourth Session (2018)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty Third Session (2017)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty Second Session (2016)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twenty-First Session (2015)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twentieth Session (2014)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Eighteenth Session (2012)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Seventeenth Session (2011)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Sixteenth Session (2010)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Fifteenth Session (2009)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Fourteenth Session (2008)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Thirteenth Session (2007)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Twelfth Session (2006)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Eleventh Session (2005)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Tenth Session (2004)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Ninth Session (2003)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Eighth Session (2002)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Seventh Session (2001)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Sixth Session (2000)
Selected Decisions and Documents of the Nineteenth Session (2013)

Discussion Papers

Discussion Paper on Development of Regional Environmental Management Plans in ISA and their legal status
Discussion Paper on the rights and obligations of ISA and the Sponsoring State with respect to activities in the Area 02/2023
Discussion Paper on Effective Control 01/2023
The Implementation of the Precautionary Approach by the International Seabed Authority 02/2017
Discussion paper on the Development of “environmental regulations” for exploitation in the Area 01/2017
Enforcement and Liability Challenges for Environmental Regulation of Deep Seabed Mining 04/2016
Data and Information Management Considerations Arising Under the Proposed New Exploration Regulations 02/2016
Dispute Resolution Considerations Arising Under the Proposed New Exploitation Regulations 01/2016
Development and implementation of a payment mechanism for exploitation activities in the Area 01/2015

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