Thirty years after its creation, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is more than ever the central actor governing a little-known but fiercely coveted domain: the ocean depths beyond national jurisdictions.
From its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, this UN organization ensures that the mineral resources in these areas—rich in rare metals—are exploited in a fair and sustainable manner—or not at all.
As states and private companies engage in a frantic race to extract underwater treasures, the ISA aims to prevent chaos. “This is our common heritage,” explains its Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho. A necessary reminder at a time when electric car batteries and mobile phones fuel a new gold rush for cobalt, neodymium, and lanthanum from the deep sea.
What is the role of the ISA?
Established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the ISA is responsible for managing mineral resources found in 54% of the oceans—that is, beyond any national sovereignty. Its mandate is to regulate economic activities in the deep seabed, guarantee the protection of the marine environment, and ensure that the benefits from these resources are shared by all humanity.
So far, states are free to exploit their exclusive economic zones. But beyond these areas, no nation or multinational corporation can claim unilateral ownership. This is why the ISA is so important: it is the only international body empowered to regulate this common heritage, which has become the stage for intense diplomatic battles.
Towards a Deep-Sea Mining Code
In response to accelerating extraction pressures, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is working on a mining code intended to establish the foundations for responsible exploitation. The goal: to reconcile the preservation of marine ecosystems, principles of environmental sustainability, and the fair sharing of benefits. The draft text, at the heart of the organization’s 30th session concluding on July 25 in Kingston, has generated significant interest.
The stakes are enormous. The seabed is rich in strategic metals: copper, cobalt, gold, nickel, zinc, silver… all essential materials for the energy transition, digital technologies, and the geopolitical ambitions of maritime powers.
The Abyss: The New Invisible Dumping Grounds?
Beyond metals, the abyss has also become a silent receptacle for another threat: plastic. In 2020, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) adopted a global scientific research program to better understand deep-sea ecosystems, promote data sharing, and unravel the mystery of the « missing plastics paradox. »
Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste enter the oceans—but a significant portion remains unaccounted for. Where does it end up? Perhaps in these abyssal zones, where its slow decomposition could poison marine fauna and flora for centuries.
A Global Biobank for the Deep Sea
To strengthen research and analysis capabilities, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) launched the Deep Biosphere Initiative (DBI) in June, on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. This platform aims to centralize biological samples and genetic data collected from international waters. Its goal is to democratize access to this knowledge—especially for developing countries—while establishing common scientific standards.
“The DBI is the ISA’s response to the growing need to enhance research, share data, develop skills, and democratize access to deep-sea knowledge,” explains Leticia Carvalho. The ambition? To provide every country with the means to better understand—and thus better protect—the planet’s most remote ecosystems.
“DeepData,” the Living Memory of the Depths
Since 2019, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has also been maintaining a colossal database called DeepData. With over 10 terabytes of collected information—equivalent to nearly 7 million photos—it is the largest environmental repository dedicated to the deep seabed. Accessed by researchers worldwide, it has been cited in more than 160 scientific publications and recorded 2.4 million consultations in 2022.
Ocean Governance Under Pressure
With its 170 members, the ISA represents a rare attempt at planetary governance in a borderless space. Yet its role, still largely unknown, is becoming crucial. Caught between mining interests, invisible pollution, and fragile biodiversity, the abyss is at a crossroads.
Source: news.un
