678 
designed in advance for this purpose, that possibility should be carefully 
explored. 
We recommend against any attempt at a solution through the creation 
of an international licensing mechanism (No. 2 above), in the fore- 
seeable future. To create and define the powers of such a supranational 
authority would be an enterprise rivaling in magnitude the creation of 
the United Nations itself. It could not be self-created by resolution 
of the Assembly. It presupposes that the maritime nations of the world 
would delegate to a super-sovereign the power to prevent their own 
exercise of powers, now possessed, to occupy and use the bed of the 
deep sea beyond national jurisdiction. 
There is no reason why use of deep sea mineral resources should 
be made contingent upon the solution of political problems of such 
magnitude, or why exploration of the deep ocean floor should be 
prohibited pending the accomplishment of that solution (as some have 
suggested). It is enough to say that any scheme which adds costs, 
delays, and international politics to the formidable obstacles which 
already confront the would-be explorer of the deep sea-bed bears the 
burden of proving the necessity for its existence. 
VL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS * 
1. With respect to the gathering of factual information 
Full support should be given to the International Decade of Ocean 
Exploration, now being formulated, and to the continuance of the max- 
imum international cooperation in the acquisition and exchange of infor- 
mation about the ocean floor. 
There should not be any embargo on or prohibition of exploration 
of deep sea mineral resources pending the negotiation of an international 
agreement relating thereto. To the contrary, all possible exploration, 
research, and exchange of knowledge should be encouraged. There is 
no need to prohibit this desirable progress because of uncertainties as 
to who shall control production, if minerals are discovered. 
2. With respect to the area within the exclusive jurisdiction 
of the coastal nations over submarine mineral resources 
Since exploration and exploitation of undersea minerals is likely to 
occur earlier in the shallower waters of the oceans adjacent to the conti- 
* Members of the Committee have exchanged views with members of similar 
Committees of the American Bar Association, in preparation of these Conclusions 
and Recommendations. 
