The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) have welcomed the position of the Long Distance Advisory Council (LDAC), along with three other major fishing advisory bodies—the North Western Waters Advisory Council, the Pelagic Species Advisory Council, and the South Western Waters Advisory Council—which have collectively reiterated their support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
This stance follows the European Commission’s Draghi report, which recommended exploring the potential for deep-sea mining. The LDAC has strongly rejected this suggestion, citing a lack of understanding of the long-term environmental and socio-economic impacts of such activities, particularly on marine ecosystems and fisheries. In a statement directed at EU decision-makers, the LDAC expressed its significant concerns about the risks associated with deep-sea mining, emphasizing the precautionary principle and urging policymakers to avoid taking premature steps towards mining the deep ocean.
The LDAC’s call for caution is timely, as Norway, the only European country currently opening its extended continental shelf in the high seas to potential deep-sea mining, is planning to award exploitation licenses as early as the first half of 2025. This move comes despite opposition from Norway’s own environmental agency, the fishing industry, scientists, NGOs, and both the European Commission and Parliament. Furthermore, a Canadian company has announced plans to apply for a deep-sea mining license in the international waters of the North Pacific Ocean, sparking further concern among environmental and fisheries groups.
Risks to marine ecosystems and fisheries
Studies show that deep-sea mining could lead to severe environmental damage, including the creation of life-smothering sediment plumes, noise pollution and the release of toxic contaminants into the marine environment. These impacts could disrupt vital marine food webs, jeopardizing the health of commercial fish species. As fisheries play a critical role in ensuring food security and economic stability for coastal communities, any disruption to marine biodiversity raises widespread public concern.
Steve Trent, EJF CEO and Founder, remarked, “Our ocean is worth more protected than plundered. LDAC’s strong stance is a powerful signal that Norway and other nations around the world should heed. The science is clear: halting deep-sea mining is essential to avoid irreversible damage to precious ecosystems that coastal communities have nurtured for centuries.”
Matt Gianni, Co-founder and Political Analyst at the DSCC, emphasized that fishing industry organizations worldwide are increasingly recognizing the grave threats that deep-sea mining poses to both fisheries and marine environments. He stated, “As pro-mining entities push to fast-track this destructive industry, it’s crucial that fishers make their voices heard. The risks to fisheries are real, and the International Seabed Authority should not give deep-sea mining a green light.”
Growing opposition to deep-sea mining
LDAC’s opposition to deep-sea mining aligns with a growing coalition of global stakeholders. Several fisheries organizations, including the Norwegian Fishing Vessel Owners Association (Fiskebat) and the Norwegian Fishermen Association, have voiced opposition to the plans to open areas for mining. These groups, alongside fisheries organizations in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, are united in their call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until a more thorough understanding of its long-term ecological and socio-economic consequences can be established.
In September, a coalition of 16 NGOs warned European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen against the Draghi report’s support for deep-sea mining. In response, her office reiterated the EU’s commitment to protecting the ocean and reaffirmed its stance against opening the deep seas to mining.
The Norwegian debate
In Norway, the debate over deep-sea mining has become highly contentious. While the government plans to issue licenses for deep-sea mining by 2025, the country’s own environmental agencies have criticized the government’s Strategic Impact Assessment, stating that it fails to meet national and international legal requirements. Experts have raised concerns about the potential risks of radioactive waste and the unassessed dangers posed by mining activities. Furthermore, Indigenous communities in Norway are also opposing the move, adding another layer of tension to the debate.
Conclusion
As the deep-sea mining industry accelerates, the push for a moratorium continues to grow louder. Fishing communities, NGOs and scientists around the world are raising their voices in unison, stressing the urgent need to protect our oceans from irreversible damage. The increasing opposition to deep-sea mining represents a critical moment for decision-makers worldwide to carefully consider the long-term risks and choose a path that safeguards the health of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.
