Public participation in the context of deep sea mining: Luxury or legal obligation?

Willaert, Klaas

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105368

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…when the database has been updated and a list of datasets published. This will support FAIRness of data and general transparency (46,47,34). This is currently listed on the website as an upcoming feature 5 (i.e.…”

Section: Potential Future Developments Of Deepdatamentioning

confidence: 94%

A review of the International Seabed Authority database DeepData: challenges and opportunities in the UN Ocean Decade

Rabone

Horton

Jones

et al. 2022

Preprint

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There is an urgent need for quality biodiversity data in the context of rapid environmental change. Nowhere is this more urgent than in the deep ocean, with the possibility of seabed mining moving from exploration to exploitation, but where vast knowledge gaps persist. Regions of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) are undergoing intensive mining exploration, including the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. In 2019 the ISA launched its database DeepData, publishing environmental (including biological) data; and since June 2021, DeepData records have been harvested by OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) via the ISA node. Here we explore how DeepData could support biological research and environmental policy development in the CCZ (and wider ocean regions); and whether data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR). Given the direct connection of DeepData with the regulator of a rapidly developing potential industry, this review is particularly timely. We found evidence of extensive duplication of datasets; an absence of unique record identifiers and significant taxonomic data quality issues, compromising FAIRness of the data. The publication of DeepData records on the OBIS ISA node has led to large-scale improvements in data quality and availability. However, limitations in usage of identifiers and issues with taxonomic information were also evident in datasets published on the node, stemming from mis-mapping of data from the ISA environmental data template to the data standard Darwin Core prior to data harvesting by OBIS. While notable data quality issues remain, these changes signal a rapid evolution for the database and significant movement towards integrating with global systems through usage of data standards and publication on global aggregators. This is exactly what has been needed for biological datasets held by the ISA. We provide recommendations for future development of the database to support this evolution towards FAIR.

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Section: Potential Future Developments Of Deepdatamentioning

confidence: 94%

A review of the International Seabed Authority database DeepData: challenges and opportunities in the UN Ocean Decade

Rabone

Horton

Jones

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Although the overarching status of the deep seabed and its mineral resources as the Common Heritage of Mankind (CHM) (article 136) reflects the idea of collective ownership and preservation for future generations, the associated measures and mechanisms have yet to be adequately implemented by the ISA (Willaert, 2020b) and no explicit references to traditional dimensions have been integrated in the Mining Code (Jaeckel et al, 2017;Bourrel et al, 2018). Moreover, overall improvements to the international regime for the deep seabed in terms of transparency and public participationwhich might serve as powerful catalysts to promote the integration and consideration of traditional knowledgein the relevant legal frameworks and decision-makingare certainly desirable (Willaert, 2020c).…”

Section: Integration Of Traditional Dimensions Into Regulatory Framew...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional and Socio-Ecological Dimensions of Seabed Resource Management and Applicable Legal Frameworks in the Pacific Island States

Tilot

Guilloux²,

Willaert

et al. 2022

Perspectives on Deep-Sea Mining

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HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.

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“…Without seemingly affecting the principles (arising from the CHM), the 1994 Implementation Agreement significantly reformed several underlying rules and mechanisms, further complicating the operationalization of the ideals embedded in Part XI of UNCLOS (Beurier, 2021). A lot of work remains to effectively implement the CHM concept in the run-up to the DSM exploitation phase (Willaert, 2020a) and there is still ample room for improvement with regard to transparency and public participation (Willaert, 2020b). Moreover, direct references to traditional knowledge and visions have not yet been integrated in the provisions of the "Mining Code, " this being the comprehensive set of rules and procedures issued by the ISA to regulate activities in the Area.…”

Section: International Legal Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Dimensions of Seabed Resource Management in the Context of Deep Sea Mining in the Pacific: Learning From the Socio-Ecological Interconnectivity Between Island Communities and the Ocean Realm

Tilot

Willaert

Guilloux³

et al. 2021

Front. Mar. Sci.

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In many of the Pacific Islands, local communities have long-held cultural and spiritual attachments to the sea, in particular to species and specific marine areas, processes, habitats, islands, and natural seabed formations. Traditional knowledge, customary marine management approaches and integrated relationships between biodiversity, ecosystems and local communities promote conservation and ensure that marine benefits are reaped in a holistic, sustainable and equitable manner. However, the interaction between local traditional knowledge, contemporary scientific approaches to marine resource management and specific regulatory frameworks has often been challenging. To some extent, the value of community practices and customary law, which have provided an incentive for regional cooperation and coordination around ocean governance, is acknowledged in several legal systems in the Pacific and a number of regional and international instruments, but this important connection can be further enhanced. In this article we present a science-based overview of the marine habitats that would be affected by deep seabed mining (DSM) along with an analysis of some traditional dimensions and cultural/societal aspects of marine resource management. We then assess whether the applicable legal frameworks at different levels attach sufficient importance to these traditional dimensions and to the human and societal aspects of seabed (mineral) resource management in the region. On the basis of this analysis, we identify best practices and formulate recommendations with regard to the current regulatory frameworks and seabed resource management approaches. Indeed, the policies and practices developed in the Pacific could well serve as a suitable model elsewhere to reconcile commercial, ecological, cultural and social values within the context of deep sea mineral exploitation in addition to sustaining the Human Well-being and Sustainable Livelihoods (HWSL) of the Pacific communities and the health of the Global Ocean.

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Public participation in the context of deep sea mining: Luxury or legal obligation?

Cited by 17 publications

References 2 publications

A review of the International Seabed Authority database DeepData: challenges and opportunities in the UN Ocean Decade

A review of the International Seabed Authority database DeepData: challenges and opportunities in the UN Ocean Decade

Traditional and Socio-Ecological Dimensions of Seabed Resource Management and Applicable Legal Frameworks in the Pacific Island States

Traditional Dimensions of Seabed Resource Management in the Context of Deep Sea Mining in the Pacific: Learning From the Socio-Ecological Interconnectivity Between Island Communities and the Ocean Realm

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