Debates around deep seabed mining (DSM) frequently focus on the question of when the International Seabed Authority (ISA) will adopt its regulations for mineral exploitation. The ISA was established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and regulates and governs all DSM on the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, the “Area”. It also decides…

On 4 March 2023, a new treaty text was finalized for an agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). This historic achievement could change the way we manage and use the ocean in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Once the BBNJ Agreement is formally adopted, a key question will…