Treaty to protect high seas too late to stop mining

Ticking clock: The International Seabed Authority, the regulatory body for deep sea mining, began considering applications for commercial mining from July 9. — CC BY 2.0

WHEN the International Seabed Authority begins accepting applications for deep sea mining operations in the coming weeks, there will remain a lingering question.

How much control will authorities have over operations to ensure environmental protection of marine habitats far from coastlines, or will it turn into a wild high seas free-for-all?