Science Policy Forum – Ecology Protecting the Common Heritage of Mankind: Exploitation of the Deep Seabed Authors: Wedding, L.M. a , Reiter, S.M. a , Smith, C.R. b* , Gjerde, K.M. c,d , Kittinger, J. a,e , Friedlander, A.M. f , Gaines, S.D. g , Clark, M.R h , Thurnherr, A. i , Hardy, S. j and L.B. Crowder a Affiliations: a Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University b University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Oceanography c Middlebury Institute for International Studies at Monterey d Wycliffe Management, Poland e Conservation International, Hawaii f Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC g University of California at Santa Barbara, Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology h National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand i Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Earth Institute j School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks *Correspondence to: Craig Smith, University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Department of Oceanography, 1000 Pope Road, Marine Sciences Building, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA; Phone: (808) 956-7776; Email: craigsmi@hawaii.edu Abstract: Plans for global exploration and exploitation of the deep seabed’s vast mineral resources are well underway. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has been given the challenging task of managing both the exploitation and the protection of the seabed ecosystems. In July 2015, the ISA will develop a regulatory framework to transition from exploration to exploitation. The ISA is expected to adopt a precautionary and strategic vision for seabed mining including networks of no-mining areas and regional environmental management plans. Networks of no-mining areas would protect regional biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function amidst the habitat destruction and sediment plumes caused by seabed mining. The no-mining areas adopted for the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) left out some critical sites due to conflicts with preexisting exploration contracts. Ideally no- mining areas should be designated during the early exploration phase and certainly before exploitation is authorized. Right now the ISA can balance the sustainable development of mining interests with protection of the seabed ecosystem. As the “common heritage of mankind”, this frontier story could become either the tragedy of the commons or a victory for sustainable resource use – the choice will likely occur this summer. One Sentence Summary: As the International Seabed Authority develops regulations to govern the exploitation of deep seabed mineral resources beyond national jurisdiction, it has a unique opportunity to adopt a strategic vision that incorporates a robust system of no-mining areas and other precautionary measures to ensure the long-term protection of the “common heritage of mankind” in the mining footprint of the deep seabed frontier. 1