Deep Seabed Mining in Areas within National Jurisdiction: Analysis of the Norwegian legal framework in the context of the marine environmental law

Abstract

This study utilizes the legal dogmatic method to analyse the current state of the deep seabed mining regulation within the international landscape and Norwegian national legislation, providing an accessible overview of the Marine Environmental Law framework. This thesis aims to unveil the true dimension of the relationship between International Law and national jurisdiction, choosing the Norwegian framework as an emblematic case of sustainable development, currently undergoing a process to open mining areas in its continental shelf. Given the early stages of deep seabed mining especially in the Arctic region, the relevance of performing an assessment on the available international regulations, not only through legal provisions, but also acknowledging specific narratives – such as the Blue Economy– as well as environmental tools and strategies – such as the Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Ecosystem-Based Marine Management –, will help determine how an activity within national jurisdiction may be shaped, confronted or stopped.