Thread by @DivaAmon

1. The third and final part of the @ISBAHQ negotiations on #deepseamining has just begun. Delighted to be here once again on the @DeepStewardship delegation. Will attempt to tweet the main developments during this first week, and we are already off to a punchy start…./n

2.Germany off to a strong start! Underlining its view that current knowledge is insufficient to approve DSM so will not sponsor any plans of work for exploitation until this is remedied and robust regs in place. Germany supports a precautionary pause on DSM to enable research

3. As a side note, this is the first time ISA meetings have been held in October (in an attempt to progress regulations). Today, as Tropical Storm Lisa joins the negotiations, we are reminded why this is not the norm..... /n

4. Brazil: In light of the existing scientific evidence as well as potential harm to marine environment, we need more discussion on the way forward. Stressed need to understand the cumulative impacts of stressors in the high seas & called for ISA, and LTC, to be more transparent

5. Costa Rica reiterating its call for a precautionary pause as, to date, there is not enough scientific information to carry out the evaluation of any Plan of Work with regard to whether it would fulfil the requirement of effective protection of the marine environment. /n

6. Costa Rica also pushing back on NEW restrictions being placed on Observer interventions. FYI, we, Observers, have been told we are only able to intervene at the end of every agenda item, which detract from constructive discussion. /n

7.Spain again "calling for a precautionary pause. It could be a conditional pause, but the principle is the same.” Also expressed commitment to slow down the transition to exploitation of mineral resources in the Area unless & until we can guarantee protection of the marine env

8. NZ putting on record their new call for a conditional moratorium until regulations can be agreed that ensures effective protection of the marine environment and till impacts can be assessed effectively. More about this here: rnz.co.nz/international/…

9. New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands also supporting the newly-imposed lifting of restrictions on Observer interventions....watch this space!

10. Panama: the benefits generated from mineral resources need to be used responsibly & we must ensure future generations are not harmed. Therefore, Panama will not support any systems that put the protection of the marine environment on a secondary level. /n

11. Panama also called for a clear vision about intergenerational equity and supports the establishment of a precautionary pause /n

12. ISA President said decision on Observer interventions will be taken by the ISA bureau later today. To which, Chile countered that instead States should express opposition, if any, to Observers intervening as normal. Crickets and tumbleweeds followed so issue now resolved! /n

13. Most of Mon 31 Oct and morning of Tue 1 Nov has been spent working on the draft exploitation regulations focused on inspection, compliance and monitoring. Some major issues include the level of independence of the Inspectorate and whether a Compliance Committee is needed.

14. Interrupting thread to share two new pieces on DSM:
The first on a growing resistance to DSM in Latin America via @chinadialogue

https://twitter.com/chinadialogue/status/1587471527003525121?s=20&t=TrWHqn8e80JK83A-Vm9TXg

15. In the second, @SylviaEarle and @dan_kammen make the case against DSM via @TIME

"The reason for this enormous destruction is simple—so a few mining companies can reap a profit. But this motive is hidden behind a clever greenwashing campaign."

time.com/6224508/deep-s…

16. Over the last two days, under the stellar leadership of @raijeli_taga, negotiations rocketed through the draft exploitation regulations related to the protection and preservation of the marine environment. /n

17. This paved way for expansion of time to cover some high-priority items today & tomorrow:
-Standardised Procedure for Regional Environmental Management Plans
-A REMP proposed for northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
-The road map given end of 2-year trigger period rapidly approaching

18. It is unclear when the ongoing NORI/The Metals Company test will be discussed. Hopefully today also.

These important & essential discussions should be 🔥🔥🔥 given possibility of exploitation beginning next year.

Reminder that you can watch LIVE:
isa.org.jm/web-tv

19. UPDATE:

No adoption of either:
-Standardised Procedure for Regional Environmental Management Plans
OR
-The REMP proposed for northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

State delegations recognised significant shortcomings with both and sent back for more work. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

/n

20. Today at the ISA, negotiations centre on the road map for development of exploitation regulations and the looming end of 2-year trigger period (July 2023).

Should be popcorn worthy. 🍿🍿🍿

Watch here: isa.org.jm/index.php/web-…

21. More details on country positions and statements here:

https://twitter.com/DeepSeaConserve/status/1588561376028819458?s=20&t=lpoXhyDLpyULJWktku5VOw

21. 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

https://twitter.com/bobbijo_dobush/status/1588634826483339266

22. Another thread of updates from the ISA. This time from @EricLiptonNYT 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

https://twitter.com/EricLiptonNYT/status/1588573311407386625?s=20&t=P-t4Xr0e2sddgp1tSdNKtA

23. Two excerpts from the @DeepStewardship intervention on the rush to begin exploiting the deep ocean for minerals. Exhibit 1:👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

https://twitter.com/duncan_currie/status/1588591990882545664

24. We need to cut the BS. We are many many many years away from having the science we need to effectively manage the rapid and unrestrained expansion of mining into the deep sea

Exhibit 2: 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

/END

https://twitter.com/duncan_currie/status/1588592148558934016