Fiji, July 10 -- The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Leticia Carvalho, has warned that the future of deep-sea governance hangs in the balance, urging member states to "prioritise protection over plunder" as the Council opened its 30th session in Kingston.

"As we gather to shape the future of the deep seabed, let us remember that these negotiations are not just about rules-they are about legacy," Carvalho told delegates. "The Deep Sea Needs Rules."

Carvalho made clear that while she does not hold a personal position on deep-sea mining, the ISA must deliver "a strong, science-based regulatory regime" to guide any future mineral exploitation and safeguard marine ecosystems.

"These regulations are essential t...