Description

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has initiated negotiations to develop regulations for deep seabed mining (DSM) exploitation and is attempting to adopt them by July 2023, a deadline triggered by Nauru on behalf of a Canadian company that intends to apply for a mining license in the 2nd half of 2023.

Members of the scientific community, civil society organizations, fishing industry associations, and politicians have raised concerns that the risks associated with further damaging the deep-sea outweigh any potential net benefits for humankind. Many experts urge extreme caution, considering the inevitable and likely irreversible biodiversity loss if deepsea mining is permitted.