348 



interaction of wastes with the water column might be expected. 5/ 

 However, he acknowledged that additional study of that con- ~ 

 elusion was appropriate. 



While the Convention does not expressly encompass 

 pollution below the seabed, the Convention's introductory 

 statement of reasons for the parties' agreement recites that 

 the parties were: 



Recalling Resolution 2749 (XXV) of the General 

 Assembly of the United Nations on the principles i 

 governing the sea-bed and the ocean floor and the 

 subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national 

 jurisdiction. 



The UN resolution, "Declaration of Principles Governing the 

 Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor, and the Subsoil Thereof, beyond 

 the Limits of National Jurisdiction," states: 



11. With respect to activities in the area [the 

 sea-bed and ocean floor, and the subsoil thereof, 

 beyond the limits of national jurisdiction] and 

 acting in conformity with the international regime 

 to be established. States shall take appropriate 

 measures for and shall co-operate in the adoption 

 and implementation of international rules, standards 

 and procedures for, inter alia ; 



(a) The prevention of pollution and contamina- 

 tion, and other hazards to the marine environment, 

 including the coastline, and of interference with the 

 ecological balance of the marine environment; 



(b) The protection and conservation of the 

 natural resources of the area and the prevention of 

 damage to the flora and fauna of the marine environ- 

 ment. 



These provisions contain no explicit limitations on parties' 

 conduct with respect to the subsoil, but the Convention refer- 

 ence to the DN~ resolution does indicate that the Convention 

 parties felt some concern with possible pollution of the 

 subsoil, at least as that pollution could impact the marine 

 environment. 



5^/ See Deese, "Law of the Sea and High Level Radioactive 

 Waste Disposal: A Potential Geologic Option under the 

 Deep Seabed?" at 40, Serial 94-69, 823 at 868. 



