The International Seabed Authority: Structure, Composition and Competence

Abstract

The International Seabed Area equally known as the Area is an integral part of the ocean which constitutes the seabed and the ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. This significant part of the ocean and its resources are the common heritage of mankind and as such are to be managed for the benefit of mankind as a whole. By virtue of this, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) was created to administer the Area and its resources for the benefit of mankind as a whole. This leads us therefore to the purpose of this paper which seeks to establish the structure, composition and competence of the International Seabed Authority. The paper does so through the exploitation of secondary and primary sources of information. Secondary data were collected from books, academic journals, magazines, and official publications touching the subject matter. To compliment secondary data, primary data was also used and this was done essentially through interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed with the use of thematic content approach The findings revealed that in spite of the shortcomings identify by many, there exist a well composed structure with its competence clearly ascertained. The results, which highlighted the findings, laid a ground for further research on this area.