A summary prepared by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition of the paper published in July 2016, by University of Technology (UTS), Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney Australia.
Authors: Sven Teske, Nick Florin, Elsa Dominish and Damien Giurco.
Available in: English
Commercial scale deep-sea mining has yet to begin but, driven by markets and technology, corporationsand governments haveincreased the pace of explorationfor mineral deposits in deep ocean seabeds.Many of these depositsare found at depths between1000 and6000m below the surfaceand contain large concentrations of metals of commercial interest such as copper,nickel,manganese,gold,lithium,platinumand rare earth elements.
Available in: English
Authored by Dr. L Woodall, Dr. C Stewart, Prof. A Rogers. University of Oxford
The Zoological Department of Oxford University has reviewed and synthesised major marine science findings which have been published since Rio+20 in 2012. The purpose of this synthesis is to determine how our understanding of the ocean at an Earth System level, with a particular focus on the role of the high seas, has changed in the last five years. The synthesis has highlighted conclusions from 271 published papers and reports relevant to the functions of the ocean.
Available in English.
Source: ACS Publications
Authors: Shigeshi Fuchida, Akiko Yokoyama, Rina Fukuchi, Jun-ichiro Ishibashi, Shinsuke Kawagucci, Masanobu Kawachi, and Hiroshi Koshikawa.
Seafloor massive sulfide deposits have attracted much interest as mineral resources. Therefore, the potential environmental impacts of full-scale mining should beconsidered. In this study, we focused on metal and metalloid contamination that could be triggered by accidental leakage and dispersion of hydrothermal ore particulates from mining vessels into surface seawater.
Available in English.
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) graphic showing the integral role of the ocean in sustaining life on Earth.
Available in English.
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition Annual Report 2016 is reporting on Deep-sea Fisheries and on Deep Seabed Mining.
Available in English.
The MIDAS project (Managing Impacts of Deep-seA reSource exploitation) ran from 2013-2016, covering a wide array of topics all aimed at helping the nascent deep-sea mining industry, regulators and civil society to understand the potential impacts of mining on deep-sea ecosystems.
Available in English.
Authors: Aline Jaeckel , Kristina M. Gjerde , Jeff A. Ardron
ABSTRACT: The seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction is the common heritage of mankind (CHM), as declared in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The CHM principle requires not only the sharing of benefits (the subject of a parallel article by the authors) but also the conservation and preservation of natural and biological resources for both present and future generations. The International Seabed Authority, tasked with operationalising the CHM principle in the context of deep-seabed mining, has not yet defined which measures it will take to give effect to environmental aspects of the CHM principle. This article seeks to contribute to the discussion about the operationalization of the CHM principle by specifically examining the environmental dimension of the CHM principle. To this end, the article interprets the CHM principle in the context of sustainable development and discusses a number of potential options the Authority could consider to support the application of the CHM principle. These include: funding scientific research to increase knowledge about the deep ocean for humankind; ensuring public participation in the decision-making process; debating the need for and alternatives to deep-seabed mining; determining conservation targets and levels of harm deemed acceptable; limiting environmental impacts; preserving mineable sites for future generations; compensating humankind for environmental harm; and ensuring enforcement.
Available in: English
Oceans are essential to human survival and prosperity, yet our activities are pushing many critical marine species toward extinction. Marine biologists suggest that the best way to maintain the oceans’ diversity, abundance and resilience is to protect marine life in their ecosystems, especially in marine protected areas that minimize extractive activities such as – fishing, mining and oil and gas development.
Available in English.
