Deep Sea-Bed Mining Under Customary International Law
AbstractThe author examines current efforts to provide a framework for the governance and exploitation of deep sea resources. He argues there is no right under customary international law for states to make unilateral claims to a right to explore and exploit resources of the sea-bed in the high seas. The 'common heritage of mankind' doctrine, which is postulated under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention 1982, and a doctrine which enshrines a collective means of exploring and exploiting resources of the sea-bed, must be seen as the guiding principle upon which further developments under international law should proceed. |