Question

The illustration shows one of the ways resources are removed from the deep sea. There are many confusing regulations that limit what and how this can be done. Discuss some of the reasons why these regulations are not standardized yet, and include two possible environmental impacts of these regulations.

Answer 1

The United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stipulates that seabed area, which is not within the landmark of any particular country should be regarded as a common natural heritage. Consequently, any mineral found in such an area can be used by anyone. 

However, because of the abundant presence of sea area, and the way national boundaries often conflict, coupled with the problem of illegal mining practices, such laws are difficult to enforce, and so these regulations are not standardized yet.

Some possible impacts of ilegal seabed mining are:
1. Destabilisation of oceanic systems.
2. It constitutes danger to the organisms living in the hydrothermal vents.