29 June, 2022

DSCC made a statement to the Aarhus Convention Working Group on Public Participation in International Forums, which resolved as follows:

“The Working Group calls on Parties to the Aarhus Convention to take action to improve public participation in the International Seabed Authority processes in accordance with art 3(7) of the Aarhus Convention.”

 

Read the full statement here.

 

9 January, 2019

This note accompanied the DSCC Briefing for the Seventh Meeting of the Commission of the
South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO). It is intended as an overview
and as a further discussion of the threshold and naturalness issues related to the bottom fishing
Conservation and Management Measure (CMM), Comm7-Prop03.

Available in English (PDF).

30 September, 2018

These comments were made by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) on the release of the Draft Regulations on Exploitation of Mineral Resources in the Area, and the accompanying Note by the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

They first make some overall observations which are applicable to the overall regulations and their structure, then make comments on individual draft regulations.

 

Available in English.

 

1 July, 2015

The deep ocean is a vital force within the Earth system and must be protected from harm. The priority approach to the consumption of mineral resources should beone ofsustainability, reuse, improved product design and recycling of materials rather than exploring for new sources of minerals, including in the deep-sea. Ifdeep-sea mining is permitted to occur, it should not take place until appropriate and effective regulations for exploration and exploitation are in place to ensure that the full range of marine habitats, biodiversity and ecosystem functions are adequatelyand effectively protected, including through a network of marine protected areas and reserves.

Available in English.