Check out the top stories from the deep, taken from coverage between 29 May – 5 June 2023
Protect the deep by joining a global day of action
Source: Greenpeace
Author: Maud Oyonarte
On Saturday 3 June, Greenpeace volunteers and concerned citizens around the globe said NO to deep-sea mining.
There could not be a better time to take a stand for marine ecosystems! Having recently achieved a historic Global Ocean Treaty, it’s time to use the same momentum going into deep-sea mining negotiations and insist for more governments to come out against deep sea mining. World leaders must be held accountable to ocean and climate action.
A rush to mine the deep ocean has environmentalists worried
Source: Dispatchist
The ISA has given out 17 contracts to countries and companies to explore the CCZ, including to Nauru Ocean Resources Incorporated (Nori), a subsidiary of the Vancouver-based Metals Company sponsored by the Nauru government.
The Metals Company believes that deep-sea mining offers a more environmentally and socially responsible option compared to land-based mining, which frequently occurs in ecologically diverse rainforests. “Nauru triggered this two-year-rule to allow The Metals Company to list on the stock exchange. Weeks after Nauru triggered the two-year rule, the two companies merged to form The Metals Company.” – Matt Gianni, co-founder and political and policy advisor at the Deep-Sea Conservation Coalition.
Campaigners protest deep-sea mining
Source: East Anglican Daily Times
Author: Julian Ford
On Saturday 3rd June on a UK beach in Suffolk, volunteers from Greenpeace Suffolk Group took part in a protest against deep-sea mining.
The protest on Aldeburgh beach took place ahead of World Ocean Day (Thursday 8th June) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting (10th – 28th July). It spotlighted the UK government’s involvement in supporting research into deep-sea mining, having approved exploratory licences 10 years ago to UK Seabed Resources (UKSR).
Why we need to respect Earth’s last great wilderness – the ocean
Source: The Guardian
Author: Helen Czerski
Unless humanity starts to see the ocean for what it really is – a critical part of our planetary life support system – we risk sleepwalking into destruction. The ocean is neither a universal rubbish bin nor an exploitable resource.
In this opinion article, Czerski outlines the importance of seeing the ocean as a “solution” for climate change. “Of course, restoring ocean ecosystems is beneficial for lots of reasons, and it will have climate benefits, but we need to focus on the restoration, not manipulating the ocean environment to do stuff for us before we fully understand how it works now.” Czerski’s new book ‘Blue Machine’ about the ocean as the engine that drives the planet is out now.
Is there life in the sea that hasn’t been discovered?
Source: The Conversation
Author: Suzanne OConnell
Every year, scientists discover new marine species. In many areas of the deep sea, the ocean is thousands of feet and offers boundless opportunities for life to thrive.
Is there life in the deep that hasn’t been discovered? It is entirely possible! Biologists don’t know for certain how many species live in the ocean, but they estimate that fewer than 10% have so far been described. With 90% of ocean life still to describe, there are so many new discoveries to be made. The DSCC calls for action to be taken to protect the ocean depths, their remarkable species and the secrets they hold.