Celebrating 25 Years of Scoop
Global Conservation Leaders Vote For Moratorium On Ocean Mining
MARSEILLE, France (September 8, 2021)--Today, voting members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress--a major global gathering on nature that brings together 1,400 members from more than 170 countries--passed a motion calling for a moratorium on ocean mining.
One of the many motions under consideration by the conservation body--motion 069: Protection of deep-ocean ecosystems and biodiversity through a moratorium on seabed mining--received over 80% of the votes from government agencies participating in the IUCN and 90% of the votes from NGOs and civil society organizations.
The landmark decision on ocean mining comes at a time when the deep sea extractions industry is pushing forward with efforts to mine the ocean, despite a growing chorus of concern, by scientists, businesses, NGOs and others, about its potentially devastating impacts on ocean life, the fishing industry and the climate.
In addition to a coalition of organizations seeking to halt the extraction of minerals from the ocean floor, representatives from the German and Fijian governments voiced their support for the motion in the leadup to the vote.
Earlier this year, a statement signed by more than 570 scientists urged a pause to ocean mining until sufficient scientific information on potential environmental impacts could be collected. Of particular concern is the impact ocean mining can have on deep sea life; scientists say they have only begun to identify the rich marine life in the ocean’s deepest waters. Potential impacts could also be detrimental to commercially important seafood resources and risk disrupting the capacity of the ocean to capture carbon and slow climate change.
Douglas McCauley,
Professor, University of California Santa Barbara,
said:
The passage of this motion sends
a strong and clear statement from the global leaders in
government, civil society, indigenous communities, business,
and academia to the world: our ocean should not be mined. As
a scientist, I am heartened by their decision.The passage of
this motion acknowledges research from scientists around the
world showing that ocean mining is simply too risky a
proposition for the planet and
people.
Jessica Battle, Lead - Deep Sea
Mining Initiative, WWF, said:
The
resounding Yes in support for a global freeze on deep seabed
mining is a clear signal that there is no social licence to
open the deep seafloor to mining. Instead, focus needs to be
on reducing consumption of primary metals, through a
circular economy and innovation.
Matthew
Gianni Co-Founder of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
(DSCC), said:
We are very pleased to see so
many governments, agencies and NGOs voting for a moratorium
on deep-sea mining; the support has been overwhelming.
Member countries of the ISA, including France which hosted
this Congress, need to wake up and act on behalf of civil
society and the environment now, and take action in support
of a moratorium.
Sian Owen, Director of
the DSCC, said:
Hopefully the vote in
Marseille will translate into a vote at the ISA to adopt a
moratorium on deep sea
mining.
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