Regulating Conflicting Uses of the High Seas: Deep Seabed Mining and High-Seas Fisheries under International Law

The emerging industry of deep seabed mining is expected to expand rapidly as demand for critical minerals increases. At the same time, high-seas fisheries remain essential for global food security and livelihoods. These activities increasingly intersect in ecologically interconnected deep-sea environments but are governed by fragmented international legal regimes. Deep seabed mining is regulated by the International Seabed Authority under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while high-seas fisheries are managed through regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). This institutional separation creates governance gaps, particularly regarding cumulative environmental impacts and spatial conflicts between mining and fishing activities. This project examines how existing international legal frameworks fail to address these conflicts and explores potential mechanisms for integrated ocean governance. The research will identify legal and institutional reforms that could better protect marine ecosystems and ensure equitable outcomes for fishing-dependent communities.