WWF has called on governments to pause deep seabed mining due to its environmental risks, and has published a report outlining the impact that the practice has on the marine environment.
Published ahead of the 30th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) March Council meeting, the report, Analysis of the Implications of Deep Seabed Mining for the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Agenda, warns of the consequences of deep seabed mining on marine biodiversity, including disruptions to fisheries and food security, and the undermining of the ocean’s role as the planet’s largest carbon sink
Deep seabed mining directly contradicts a number of global commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the group added. Aside from environmental concerns, the practice also exacerbates social and economic inequalities by putting coastal communities at risk, as well as threatening the rights of indigenous peoples, they add.
‘Untouched ecosystem’
“The deep sea is one of the last untouched ecosystems on Earth, playing a crucial role in regulating our climate and supporting marine life,” commented Jessica Battle, WWF lead, No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative. “We cannot afford to sacrifice it for short-term commercial interests.
“Deep seabed mining must not go ahead until the environmental, social and economic risks are understood, all alternatives to deep-sea minerals have been explored and it is proven that deep seabed mining can be managed in a way that protects the marine environment and prevents biodiversity loss and climate impacts, habitat degradation and species extinctions. Until then, a global moratorium on deep seabed mining is needed.”
‘A reckless gamble’
WWF added that a lack of transparency when it comes to regulatory frameworks, coupled with limited scientific knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems, makes proceeding with deep seabed mining a ‘reckless gamble’, and has called on governments to uphold the precautionary principle and halt deep seabed mining until more scientific research is conducted.
‘Governments have pledged to safeguard biodiversity and sustainable development,’ the group added. ‘Moving forward with deep seabed mining would directly contradict these commitments and threaten the health of the ocean, which sustains billions of people worldwide.’ Read more here.
