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<p>At the IUCN World Conservation Congress, the UK abstained from voting on the motion
for a moratorium on deep-sea mining because it did not fully align with UK policy.</p><p>
</p><p>However, 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. 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 and Guidelines.</p>
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