Dr Russell Howorth, Director of the Suva-based Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has been appointed to the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The ISA has been mandated with signatories of 162 countries to manage the mineral resources of the international seabed beyond national jurisdiction.
The Legal and Technical Commission consists of 25 members elected by the ISA Council for five years.

The election of members is based on personal qualifications relevant to exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources, oceanography, economic and/or legal matters concerning ocean mining and related fields.

The appointment of Dr Howorth to the Commission will ensure the interest of Fiji and Pacific Island coutries are addressed said Ambassador Peter Thomson, permanent representative of Fiji to the United Nations.

“This is particularly important given the approval by the Authority at its recent meeting of applications by Nauru and Tonga for seabed exploration work plans in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the eastern Pacific Ocean,” said Ambassador Thomson.

Ambassador Thomson said “international interest in seabed mining was in a growth stage, and that accordingly ISA, SOPAC and the Fiji Government were planning to host a Pacific Regional Workshop at the end of November this year.

The workshop is expected to address environmental management needs for deep sea mineral exploration and exploitation.”

The Legal and Technical Commission is entrusted with various functions relating to activities in the deep seabed area of international waters, including the review of applications for plans of work, supervision of exploration or mining activities, assessment of the environmental impact of such activities and provide advice to the International Seabed Authority’s Assembly and Council on all matters relating to exploration and exploitation of non-living marine resources.

Source: Fiji Sun 11th August 2011