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<p>There is no deep sea mining currently happening in areas beyond national jurisdictions,
there are no exploitation licences for deep sea mining, and no exploitation regulations
have yet been agreed. Any mining licenced under future regulations is unlikely to
begin for several years. In addition, the UK has committed not to sponsor or support
the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects unless and until
there is sufficient scientific evidence about the potential impact on deep sea ecosystems
and strong and enforceable environmental regulations and standards have been developed
by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and are in place.</p><p> </p><p>Under
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it is the role of the
ISA to regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed
area for the benefit of mankind as a whole. In so doing, the ISA has the duty to ensure
the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise
from deep seabed activities.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a strong and respected voice
in these international negotiations and the UK position emphasises the need to ensure
that the highest possible environmental standards are met in the development of this
new industry. We judge that engaging fully with these negotiations is the most effective
way for the UK to work with others so that no deep sea mining takes place in the absence
of strong and enforceable environmental regulations and standards. This includes requiring
that Regional Environmental Management Plans are adopted for each region before any
exploitation licence can even be considered, as well as the adoption of strong and
enforceable environmental Standards as well as Guidelines.</p><p> </p><p>Finally,
on terminology, we note that the European Commission, in its recent sustainable blue
economy strategy, has not made reference to a moratorium, but has set out that “In
international negotiations, the EU should advocate that marine minerals in the international
seabed area cannot be exploited before the effects of deep-sea mining on the marine
environment, biodiversity and human activities have been sufficiently researched,
the risks are understood and the technologies and operational practices are able to
demonstrate no serious harm to the environment.” We understand from the statement
that the outcomes we and the Commission are arguing for are essentially the same,
that no deep sea mining should take place in the absence of strong and enforceable
environmental regulations and standards.</p><p> </p>
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