A 'precautionary pause' is logical way forward for deep-sea mining, say researchers

Pressure on the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to finalize and adopt regulations for deep-sea mining is increasing. While some ISA member states are hoping to see progress soon, a growing number of states are demanding more time to research the environmental impact of mining raw materials on the seabed and to develop an appropriate regulatory framework. What are the legal forms such a delay could take and what would the political consequences be?