Diving into deep-sea mining would be reckless
“We ask for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining until more research has been conducted on the consequences of such interventions for life in the ocean. Norway must take an international initiative for more research into this,” says biology professor Lise Øvreås from the University of Bergen on World Ocean Day.
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Professor Lise Øvreås and Professor Peter Haugan are two of many European scientists behind a statement paper published on World Ocean Day 8 June 2023 by the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC) to create awareness on the perils of deep-sea mining and the need for more research to be conducted before any commercial exploitation of the seabed can be considered.
In a press release, EASAC points out:
Rising global hunger for rare minerals is driving commercial interest in deep-sea mining and its potential exploitation on a massive scale. In just a few weeks, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) could give the green light for wholesale industrial development of the deep oceans. In an urgent appeal, Europe's science academies warn of the dire consequences on marine ecosystems and challenge the business case for deep-sea mining on any scale until recycling potentials have been fully explored.
- Read the full press release here and the full statement on deep-sea mining from EASAC here.
