Source: RNJ
Author: Johnny Blades
Speculation continues to grow that Nauru are intending this week to ask the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to fast-track the adoption of seabed mining regulations.
The regulations are still under consultation but Nauru’s request would invoke a so-called ‘two-year rule’ and compel the ISA to allow seabed mining to go ahead within two years, effectively setting a deadline for the body to finalise the mining regulations.
The Pacific Liaison for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, a grouping of over 90 organizations worldwide, Phil McCabe, said triggering a ‘race to the bottom’ could prove disastrous for the world’s oceans.
“Any responsible government would not just stand by and allow this to occur. We’ve got this track record in New Zealand of assessing this activity, and it’s come up failing.
“We know we can’t do this without causing serious harm. So our government, I feel, has a responsibility to step up and really challenge this move.”
Read the full article here.