Leticia Carvalho, the new head of the International Seabed Authority, faces pressure to complete regulations for deep-sea mining while addressing corruption allegations and environmental concerns.
Elham Shabahat reports for Hakai Magazine.
In short:
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has yet to finalize its Mining Code despite a triggered deadline forcing action.
- New secretary general Leticia Carvalho aims to restore trust in the ISA, following allegations of bias and corruption against her predecessor.
- With regulations incomplete, mining companies like The Metals Company may submit applications by 2025, testing interim procedures.
Key quote:
“The ISA needs to be upfront with itself about where we are in this process.”
— Julian Jackson, Pew Charitable Trusts
Why this matters:
Deep-sea mining threatens fragile marine ecosystems, raising concerns about irreversible damage and equitable profit distribution. Without strict regulations, environmental harm could outpace oversight, affecting biodiversity and ocean health.
