KINGSTON JAMAICA, 25 May 2010 – – The China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) has submitted an application to the International Seabed Authority for approval of a plan of work for exploration for polymetallic sulphides. The general location of the application area is on the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge. In accordance with… Continue reading COMRA Applies For Approval Of Plan Of Work For Exploration For Polymetallic Sulphides

In a bid to further strengthen the existing cooperation with the International Seabed Authority, China has granted funding to support between 3 – 5 candidates from developing countries in the field of marine sciences to pursue Masters or Doctorate degrees in Marine Science at the Tongji University in Shanghai, China. Applicants for the ISA-Tongji University… Continue reading International Seabed Authority & Tongji University Announces Scholarship Programme

A framework for the future development of mineral resources of the deep seabed was realised at the 16th Session of the ISA with the approval of Regulations to govern prospecting and exploration for polymetallic sulphides in the Area. It took six years of debate and compromise in the Council and culminated in its unanimous adoption… Continue reading Seabed Authority Concludes 16th Session; Adpts Draft Regulations On Polymetallic Sulphides And Elects New Council Members

The Assembly of the International Seabed Authority, meeting in Kingston this morning adopted a $13,014,700 budget for the Authority’s operations for the 2011-2012 biennium. The Assembly also adopted a draft decision (ISBA/16/A/L.3) authorizing the Secretary-General to establish a scale of assessments of contributions for 2011-2012 based on that used for the regular budget of the… Continue reading Seabed Assembly Adopts $13,014,700 Budget For Authority’s Operations In 2011-2012

The Council of the International Seabed Authority in a meeting yesterday afternoon decided by consensus to adopt a draft decision related to the Regulations which it had continued to deliberate upon at the 16th Session. The Council has decided to remove regulation 23: Overlapping claims, from the draft Regulations on prospecting and exploration for polymetallic… Continue reading Seabed Council To Approve Sulphides Regulations

The Council of the International Seabed Authority yesterday heard divergent views on a proposal by Nauru for an advisory opinion from the Seabed Disputes Chambers of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The Government of Nauru had sponsored an entity; Nauru Ocean Resources  Inc., for a plan of work in prospecting and exploration… Continue reading Nauru Proposal Gets Seabed Council Attention

In its meetings on Friday, the ISA Assembly continued  deliberations on a range of issues including the need for the adoption of the draft regulations on polymetallic sulphides, the promotino of training of scientists from developing countries through the Authority’s Endowment Fund and the need for more technical workshops and regional sensitization seminars. In the… Continue reading Assembly And Council Meetings To Continue Deliberations At ISA 16th Session On Monday 3 May 2010