International Seabed Authority

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly of 168 member states met in Jamaica recently to regulate deep-sea mining however the progressive regulatory proposals of Chile, Vanuatu, Palau, France and Costa Rica were unfortunately vetoed and critical ocean environmental issues adjourned by the Assembly to next year. Calls for a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep seabed mining were made by Canada, Brazil, Finland and Portugal. The rationale persists whether protection of the marine environment, precautionary stewardship and deep-sea mining go in tandem. As no consensus emerged the “two year loophole” enters into play.

UN Routine Exhortation

To date 21 countries have advocated a ban, precautionary pause or moratorium on deep seabed extractive mining. On the other hand commercial entities standing for 32% of the global tuna industry recorded their concerns as well as 37 financial institutions overseeing 3.3 trillion euro in assets highlighted potential risks. The UN Commissioner on Human Rights in a routine manner exhorted the participating states against unregulated deep-sea mining. A conservative scientific view prevailing is that around 1% of the material and data needed to draft science-based regulations exists.

Policy Lead for WWF

The ocean is already under severe stress from multiple pressures including overfishing, pollution and climate change and a conservative view is that deep seabed mining may enhance environmental pressure . The present day emphasis should be on restoring the ocean as a functioning ocean ecosystem as a buffer and adaptation instrument to mitigate the impact of climate change. Kaja Lønne Fjærtoft , the Policy Lead for WWF’s No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative , has termed the ocean as the foundation for all life on this planet .

World Wild Fund No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative

 

Iridigorgia deep sea coral

© Image courtesy of Aquapix and Expedition to the Deep Slope 2007

WWF and Green Transition

The WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by conserving the world’s biological diversity through ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable. A WWF commissioned report reveals that the demand for minerals can be reduced by 58 % by resorting to technological choices, recycling and circular economy measures such as product-life extension and materials recovery. The European Academies Science Advisory Council endorses the viewpoint that deep seabed mining is is not a prerequisite for green transition .

By Nadir Mumtaz

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