The transition from deep-sea discovery to sustainable stewardship requires not only impactful science, but a robust governance framework to enable the effective conduct of marine scientific research. Accordingly, this presentation will book-end the symposium with a discussion of the legal and policy architecture within which deep sea research is undertaken, accessed, shared, and translated into policy outcomes.
There is a substantial body of law regulating activities in the deep sea, from general frameworks to detailed rules on seabed mining, fishing, and the protection of biodiversity. However, these rules are not without gaps, ambiguities and challenges. From the legal ‘grey areas’ that arise when scientific research overlaps with bioprospecting, technology testing or even military surveys to the ‘user conflicts’ of activities occurring in overlapping areas, activities in the deep sea are testing the limits and effectiveness of our legal and policy frameworks. At the same time, scientific research can play a critical role in managing tensions at sea, as a peaceful and shared endeavour that can transcend national interests.
This presentation will reflect upon the legal and policy frameworks relevant to the scientific presentations in this Symposium and discuss where scientific outputs can most effectively inform ocean governance.