Marine Environment in the IOM Area (Clarion-Clipperton Region, Subtropical Pacific): Current Knowledge and Future Needs

摘要

The necessity to learn and understand the extent of natural environmental variability in an area before it can be subjected to planned human activities is becoming a paradigm of responsible approach to resource development and management. This is particularly true with respect of the deep seafloor and its mineral resources, polymetallic nodules in particular. Since its establishment in 1987, Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) has been collecting and collating data on various aspects of the marine environment in its area. A major portion of the available set of data was acquired when IOM was involved in the Benthic Impact Experiment (IOM BIE). In this presentation, we review the type and amount of environmental information contained in the IOM's database and confront it with the type and amount of environmental data contractors are expected to supply to the International Seabed Authority (ISA).