ISA (International Seabed Authority)

The International Seabed Authority, established under UNCLOS and the 1994 Implementing Agreement and seated in Kingston, Jamaica, organizes and controls mineral-related activities in the Area, the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, held as the common heritage of mankind. It has granted exploration contracts for polymetallic nodules and other resources but has not yet finalized the exploitation regulations, the Mining Code, that would permit commercial extraction. Its pace shapes the future of deep-sea mining.