The International Seabed Authority is actively preparing for the future exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed area.

The International Seabed Authority continued to make progress in developing the framework for cooperation in the area of seabed resources.

There is a growing interest for bioprospecting for deep seabed genetic resources.

Some delegations held the view that since bottom trawling affected the resources on the seabed, including sedentary species, the competency of the International Seabed Authority should be respected.

Joint surveys for coastal and seabed mapping, as well as a survey of the resources, would also be useful.

The workshops provided the best available scientific information on deep seabed resources and the ecosystems in which they are found.

Marine Mineral Resources Scientific Advances and Economic Perspectives, New York UN.DOALOS Kingston, International Seabed Authority, 2004 (ISBN 976 610 616 a).

Ms. Frida Armas Pfirter (Argentina) presented a paper on the legal implications related to the management of seabed living resources in the Area.

Over the last several years, the Authority has convened a series of workshops on topics related to the deep seabed environment and its resources.

One delegation noted that where marine protected areas were related to the resources of the deep seabed, the participation of the International Seabed Authority with regard to scientific research, the protection and conservation of the natural resources of the Area and the prevention of damage to the flora and fauna of the marine environment in the Area should be respected as well.

My delegation is pleased at the progress that has been achieved so far in the management of the resources of the seabed area beyond national jurisdiction.

J. Matters relating to the Seabed Disputes Chamber

International Seabed Authority (General Assembly resolution 51 6)

7 See Proceedings of the Tenth Anniversary Commemoration of the establishment of the International Seabed Authority, Kingston, International Seabed Authority, 2005 (ISBN 976 95155 0 7).

Information and data relating to the international seabed area

The Proclamation deals with the management and exploitation of the resources of the seabed beneath the territorial sea, by the coastal State, a right accepted at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The seabed covers some 71 per cent of world's surface.

Information reported by the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority.

In creating a regime for exploiting the seabed beyond national jurisdictions that provides for fair sharing of the resources, the Convention reflects the desire for a fair and equitable international economic order to control the oceans.

(f) Mr. Satya N. Nandan, Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority

Decision 1 (66) on the New Zealand Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004

We note with satisfaction the effective functioning of the International Seabed Authority.

In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( the Convention ), the seabed and ocean floor and the subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, as well as its resources, are the common heritage of mankind, the exploration and exploitation of which shall be carried out for the benefit of mankind as a whole, on whose behalf the International Seabed Authority acts.

Decision 1 (66) on New Zealand Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 18 7

We also attach great importance to the work of the International Seabed Authority.

At the eighteenth session, the matter was referred to the Seabed Disputes Chamber.

We have invested heavily in the exploration of minerals in the deep seabed.

(e) Mr. Martin Belinga Eboutou, President of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority

At the eighteenth session, the members of the Seabed Disputes Chamber exchanged views on developments regarding the work of the International Seabed Authority and the question of a code of conduct for counsel appearing before the Chamber.

It is moving closer to realizing the goal of elaborating regulations for the prospecting and exploration of polymetallic sulphides and cobalt rich crusts in the international seabed area and for the conservation of biodiversity in the seabed.

(c) Proceedings of the tenth anniversary commemoration of the establishment of the International Seabed Authority

Having concern for the urgency of conserving and prudently utilizing its natural resources, the Government of the United States regards the natural resources of the subsoil and seabed of the continental shelf beneath the high seas but contiguous to the coasts of the United States as appertaining to the United States, subject to its jurisdiction and control.

China s assertiveness over its sovereignty claim reflects more than a desire to exploit seabed resources, or to gain a widened strategic gateway into the western Pacific. It is also about national renewal and rejuvenation the core of the Chinese Communist Party s raison d être.

Aside from the traditional non living resources of the sea, such as oil and gas, it is estimated that the seabed contains close to 300 minerals, many of which may eventually prove worthy of exploration and exploitation for the benefit of mankind.

We also encourage the International Seabed Authority to undertake the necessary measures with regard to the protection of the flora and fauna of the seabed, as provided for in article 145 of the Convention on the Law of the Sea.

I wish to take this opportunity to draw attention to the fact that the Seabed Disputes Chamber not only is competent to deal with disputes regarding activities in the international seabed area but is also empowered to give advisory opinions.

The outer limits of the continental shelf of a State also define the Area (the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction), which is, together with its resources, the common heritage of mankind (article 136 of the Convention).

The Convention and the Agreement relating to the implementation of part XI of the Convention ( the 1994 Agreement ) adopted on 28 July 1994 by the General Assembly of the United Nations2 together contain the regime for the administration of the deep seabed and its resources.

We welcome the establishment of reserved areas under the authority of the International Seabed Authority in that regard.

As required, the applicant has expended more than 30 million in research and prospecting in the deep seabed.

This is an important matter for these States, as their becoming parties to the 1994 Agreement would put all members of the Authority in the same position with respect to the current regime for the deep seabed and its resources, which governs the activities of the Authority.

The Working Capital Fund shall be constituted by advances from States Parties, International Organizations and the International Seabed Authority.

The aim of the United States in issuing the Truman Proclamation was to establish its jurisdiction and control over the adjacent seabed of the continental shelf, and to establish that the sharing of the seabed with neighbouring States would be determined by mutual agreement in accordance with equitable principles .

In 2009, when the U.N. reviewed progress, they discovered that almost 100 million square kilometers of seabed had been protected.

According to the information provided by Nautilus Minerals Ltd., the exploration licence covered a seabed area of 15,000 square kilometres.