Check out the top stories from the deep, taken from coverage between 11-18 September 2023
UK scientists call on Sunak to back deep-sea mining ‘moratorium’
Source: Financial Times
Author: Kenza Bryan
In an open letter, UK scientists urge prime minister Rishi Sunak to back a deep-sea mining moratorium, due to concerns about seabed exploitation and the industry’s effects on the environment.
Existing information has led scientists to warn that biodiversity loss will be inevitable – and most likely irreversible. Read on to see the reaction to the letter.
MEPs reject deep-sea mining in raw materials vote
Source: EU Observer
Author: Wester Van Gaal
Final text for the EU to acquire a supply of raw materials has got approval in a plenary vote.
However, the EU document text included precautionary language against deep-sea mining, warning that the industry would most likely result in permanent loss of marine biodiversity. The final text was approved by a large majority, with 515 MEPs backing it against 34 opposed and 28 abstentions.
Norway should call off deep sea mining plans, key ally says
Source: Reuters
Author: Nerijus Adomaitis and Victoria Klesty
The main supporter in parliament has urged Norway’s minority government to retract its plan to allow deep-sea mining in a large Arctic offshore region and instead implement a ten-year moratorium.
We would like to have a moratorium for at least ten years so that we can find out more (about the environmental consequences) before we start digging for minerals on the seabed,” Lars Haltbrekken, SV’s spokesman on energy and environment, told Reuters.
Taking it to the streets
Author: Lucinda Penn
People in the New Zealand cities of Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin might have spotted these epic #DefendTheDeep murals. If not – keep your eyes peeled!
For those not in New Zealand, check out the galley in this article. These murals aim to highlight the future of our deep sea and its vulnerable marine ecosystems, emphasizing the beauty and importance of deep-sea creatures and habitats threatened by activities like bottom trawling on seamounts and deep-sea mining. NGOs that partnered with the DSCC on this first trio of murals were Greenpeace Aotearoa (Auckland), Our Seas Our Future (Dunedin) and WWF-NZ (Wellington).