[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 15, Volume 3]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 15CFR970.503]



[Page 326-327]

 

                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE

 

CHAPTER IX--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 

                               OF COMMERCE

 

PART 970_DEEP SEABED MINING REGULATIONS FOR EXPLORATION LICENSES

--Table of Contents

 

     Subpart E_Issuance/Transfer/Terms, Conditions and Restrictions

 

Sec. 970.503  Freedom of the high seas.



    (a) Before issuing or transferring an exploration license, the 

Administrator must find that the exploration proposed in the application 

will not unreasonably interfere with the exercise of the freedoms of the 

high seas by other nations, as recognized under general principles of 

international law.

    (b) In making this finding, the Administrator will recognize that 

exploration for hard mineral resources of the deep seabed is a freedom 

of the



[[Page 327]]



high seas. In the exercise of this right, each licensee must act with 

reasonable regard for the interests of other nations in their exercise 

of the freedoms of the high seas.

    (c)(1) In the event of a conflict between the exploration program of 

an applicant or licensee and a competing use of the high seas by another 

nation or its nationals, the Administrator, in consultation and 

cooperation with the Department of State and other interested agencies, 

will enter into negotiations with that nation to resolve the conflict. 

To the maximum extent possible the Administrator will endeavor to 

resolve the conflict in a manner that will allow both uses to take place 

in a manner in which neither will unreasonably interfere with the other.

    (2) If both uses cannot be conducted harmoniously in the area 

subject to the exploration plan, the Administrator will decide whether 

to issue or transfer the license.