Check out the top stories from the deep, taken from coverage between 26 September – 03 October 2022
How China Targets the Global Fish Supply
Source: The New York Times
Authors: Steven Lee Myers, Agnes Chang, Derek Watkins and Claire Fu
“Over the last two decades, China has built the world’s largest deep-water fishing fleet, by far, with nearly 3,000 ships.”
The New York Times tracks China’s ever growing presence on international waters as their deep sea fishing vessels dominate the high seas. A growing market targets squid among other deep sea fish and there are “worrisome signs of diminishing stocks” in both territorial waters and in ABNJs.
Mexico lawmaker drafts motion to nationalize mining
Source: bnamericas
“The current set-up has allowed private companies to plunder mineral resources while riding roughshod over the rights of communities, indigenous groups and workers.”
Senator Blanca Piña, who represents Michoacán state, has called for mining to be brought under state regulation as a matter of national security. The proposed legislation insists upon ‘no mine zones’ in areas of ‘ecological value’ and in areas of Indigenous importance. The proposal would out-law sea-bed mining in Mexico’s territorial waters all together.
An in situ study of abyssal turbidity-current sediment plumes generated by a deep seabed polymetallic nodule mining preprototype collector vehicle
Source: Stuff
Author: Thomas Manch
‘’A lack of progress is evidenced by being able to achieve that outcome, but also the landscape’s moved quite a bit in terms of where the Pacific are now positioning themselves, so we have to take that on board as we review our own position’’
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has expressed concern over the ISA’s “disappointing” “lack of progress” on deep sea mining regulations. “Taking on board” the growing resistance from Pacific Island Nations such as Palau, Samoa, Fiji, and Federated States of Micronesia, New Zealand could move towards a ban on deep sea mining.
Significant progress made at NAFO meeting to protect Vulnerable Greenland sharks and deep-sea ecosystems
Source: Tempo.co
Authors: Petir Garda Bhwana, Non Koresponden
“At its 44th Annual Meeting held in Porto, Portugal, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) made significant progress in agreeing new fisheries science and management measures. This meeting was the first in person annual meeting since 2019, and the Deep Sea Conservation (DSCC) attended as an observer.”
NAFO has taken promising steps in combating overfishing and protecting marine ecosystems. Among other decisions, a prohibition on the retention of Greenland sharks in the Northwest Atlantic was agreed upon.
EU protects deep-sea life from bottom trawling, as new science shows up NZ industry proposal
Source: Scoop
‘’The European Union has agreed new measures to protect seamounts from bottom trawling, showing up the New Zealand government’s inaction on the issue, environment groups said today.’’
While the EU has moved to protect a further 16,000km2 of seabed from deep-sea trawling, New Zealand is “dragging its heels” on legislation. This is as NIWA Scientists continue to discover deep sea seamounts and features which are crucial habitats to corals and sponges.