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GCIL HOME   HIGHLIGHTS AGREEMENT ON THE CONSERVATION OF ALBATROSSES AND PETRELS PAPAHANAUMOKUAKEA MARINE MONUMENT R.M.S. TITANIC SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT AREAS Antarctic Arctic Biological Diversity Climate Change Environment and Trade Extraterritorial Appl. of Laws Fisheries Heritage Marine Debris Marine Mammals Marine Pollution Marine Protected Areas Marine Turtles Marine Scientific Research Seabed Management Seabirds Ships, Regulation of Survey and Charting Treaties Underwater Sound Zones and Boundaries ACRONYMS REFERENCES

SEABED MANAGEMENT The Office of General Counsel for International Law Under customary international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC), there are different regimes for the management of activities pertaining to the seabed, including the continental shelf which is subject to the jurisdiction of coastal nations and the Area, which is beyond the national jurisdiction of coastal nations. The LOSC provides the legal framework for activities on the seabed such as the laying of cables and pipelines, and the exploration, development, and exploitation of seabed resources. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) was established to facilitate international cooperation in the management of mineral development in the Area. The Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, administered by NOAA, governs deep seabed mining activities of U.S. entities. The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf was established to facilitate international cooperation in the recognition of the seaward limit of coastal nations' continental shelves that extend beyond the 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone. Additional reference information: Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act NOAA Deep Seabed Mining Regulations for Exploration Licenses CRS Report: Deep Seabed Mining: U.S. Interests and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea International Convention for the Protection of Submarine Telegraph Cables Code for Environmental Management of Marine Mining (International Marine Mineral Society) NOAA, Request for Comment on Interim Policy and Permit Guidance for Submarine Cable Projects in National Marine Sanctuaries (74 Fed. Reg. 18169, April 21, 2009). Interim Policy (April 2009).