International Seabed Authority (ISA) was established upon entry into force of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994.
- ISA is the only example of an international organization established to manage a global commons for benefit of humanity on the basis of equity in resource allocation.
About ISA
- It is an autonomous international organization mandated by UNCLOS to manage mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for shared benefit of humankind.
- Area under its jurisdiction covers around 54% of total area of world’s oceans.
- Mandate:
- Regulating conduct of all exploration activities and exploitation of deep-sea minerals.
- Protection of marine environment from harmful effects of deep seabed related activities.
- Encourage marine scientific research.
- Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica.
- Members: 168 Member States (including India) and European Union.
- All nations that ratify UNCLOS automatically become members of ISA.
Major Initiatives of ISA
- Marine Scientific Research Action Plan in support of UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
- Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative: Aiming to describe over 1,000 new deep-sea species.
- Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs): Following the success of first REMP for Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), ISA is developing additional REMPs for mid-Atlantic ridge, Indian Ocean and Northwest Pacific Ocean.
India and ISA
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