The International Seabed Authority can and is supposed to regulate mining activities in the Area in such a way that any negative effects on the marine environment are minimized or avoided.

A. Seabed Disputes Chamber

J. Matters relating to the Seabed Disputes Chamber

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

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

Information and data relating to the international seabed area

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

We should not limit our focus simply to the issue of bottom trawling.

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

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

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.

The library manages the Authority's specialized collection of reference and research materials focusing on matters relating to the law of the sea and deep seabed mining.

It sets up rules for all uses of all living and non living resources on the high seas, on the ocean floor and beneath it, on the continental shelf and in the territorial seas.

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

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.

Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof

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.

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.

The continued use of destructive fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, whether conducted within an EEZ or on the high seas, was deplored by several delegations and non governmental organizations.

The vitally rich biodiversity of the sea bottom is the common heritage of all people and must be protected by all Member States.

Over the past year the three institutions created by the Convention covered new ground in carrying out their mandates. The International Seabed Authority continued to make progress in developing the framework for cooperation in the area of seabed resources.

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

A number of delegations referred to the problems of by catches as well as to the issue of destructive fishing practices, in particular bottom trawling.

They advocated the adoption of a moratorium on high seas bottom trawling as an interim measure until a lasting solution could be devised by the international community.

Geography Khniss is a coastal city which features the beginning of an amazing marine depression of shallow seabed that stretches till Cap Dimass in Bekalta, ancient Thapsus.

The Pacific Islands Forum addressed the need for management of deep sea bottom trawling at its Leaders meeting in October.

The sustainable fisheries draft resolution stands as an undertaking by the international community to review the impact of fishing activity on marine bed ecosystems.

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.

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.

Other threats to the marine and coastal ecosystems from marine litter include smothering of the seabed and disturbance of habitats from mechanical beach cleaning.

Palau will continue to raise the issue of a prohibition on deep sea bottom trawling at all international forums until the legal infrastructure is in place to deal with that destructive practice.

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.

This phase of the Kaplan Project addresses its second objective, which is to investigate and study disturbance and recolonization processes at the sea floor following mining track creation and plume resedimentation in the abyssal nodule provinces.

In accordance with article 35, paragraph 1, of the Statute, the Seabed Disputes Chamber consists of 11 judges selected by the members of the Tribunal from among themselves.

At this early stage in the research and exploration activities in the Area, much of the scientific techniques that are used could also be used for research activities in national areas.

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.

The application of the law on mining activities, explosives and the State mining administration is in the competence of the Chief Mining Authority.

In the communiqué issued by the Pacific Islands Forum in October this year, Forum leaders noted the call for a moratorium on deep sea bottom trawling and for the creation of a legal framework to manage that method of fishing in order to protect biodiversity in the high seas.

Last year, delegations pledged to undertake a review of destructive fishing practices, including bottom trawling, and to take urgent action where regulations are inadequate.

The international community has continued to focus over the past year on issues relating to navigation, the conservation and management of living marine resources, and the conservation and management of the biological diversity of the sea bed in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

84. Also calls upon regional fisheries management organizations or arrangements with the competence to regulate bottom fisheries to make the measures adopted pursuant to paragraph 83 of the present resolution publicly available

We hope that the Group will be able to move beyond the debate which no one will win regarding whether deep seabed genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction are, or are not, the common heritage of humankind.

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.

It was recalled that some of the studies carried out by the Authority had suggested that there was a greater risk of environmental damage from exploration for sulphides and crusts as compared to exploration for polymetallic nodules.

In addition, during the cruise, mining tracks created 26 years ago by IFREMER were investigated to monitor the recovery and recolonization of the areas disturbed.