Deep Sea Conservation Coalition

🌊 High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy's recent #BluePaper on ocean and human health classifies #DeepSeaMining as one of the "unsustainable ocean-based industries that focus on short-term profit-making and accumulation of great wealth for the few." Often claiming to be part of the ‘Blue Economy’, these industries—which include unsustainable fisheries, seabed mining and oil drilling—degrade the ocean environment, release vast quantities of greenhouse gases, produce pollution and deplete marine resources. They also threaten human health, increase societal inequalities, degrade the ocean environment, and create long-term financial liabilities for governments. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dzvKNAks

2024 was a year of progress for the ocean, fueled by strong partnerships, emerging science, and a growing global commitment to deep-sea conservation. In 2024 we saw increased global alignment on the need to safeguard these fragile ecosystems and concerns over the cumulative impact of human activities such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. Scientific expeditions to the deep sea, especially around seamounts, have provided valuable insights into the biodiversity and ecological significance of these underwater mountains, underscoring the critical role seamounts play as hotspots for marine life. In 2025, we’re aiming even higher to protect the #OceanLifelines by placing seamount science at the forefront of the deep-sea conservation agenda. Seamounts, Science, and the Path Forward for 2025: https://lnkd.in/gYvSzjBx 📷 Schmidt Ocean Institute #DefendTheDeep #ProtectSeamounts

🌊 Don't miss this powerful exhibition! If you are in the UK🇬🇧, visit John Hansard Gallery to experience Emma Critchley's Soundings. Combining filmmaking, choreography, and public engagement, the artist invites you to connect with the deep ocean from an intensely embodied perspective and dives into the urgent issue of deep-sea mining and why we must #DefendTheDeep. Be prepared to go deep into the ocean! ℹ️ More info: https://lnkd.in/eVJrr8dz 📷 Credits to Emma Critchley, Soundings / John Hansard Gallery University of Southampton

#Seamounts support the health of the ocean – they are our #OceanLifelines. But these underwater mountains are under threat from bottom trawling. Seamounts are not only rich feeding grounds but also vital spawning areas for numerous fish species. Tuna, sharks, marine mammals, and seabirds all flock to seamounts. Will you stand up for seamounts protection? #ProtectSeamounts ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eNJmZNh8

A new #study by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) revealed that, although the European Commission regulation from 2022 has reduced it by 81%, #bottom #fishing persists in #vulnerable #marine #ecosystems between 400-800m depth in #EU waters. 🇪🇺🌊🐟🚢❗ 📌 Based on data from Global Fishing Watch, and by comparing fishing activity before the closures - November 2021 to October 2022 -, with post-closure data -November 2022 to October 2023-, a total of 3,500 fishing hours took place following them, well below the 19,000 hours of the previous year. 📌 Analysis found that, of those 3,500 hours after the closure, Spanish vessels accounted for most of the activity, with 1,769 hours of bottom fishing, followed by the Portuguese fleet. 🗣️ "Our findings suggest that, while the 2022 closures have achieved an encouraging reduction in fishing activity, continued bottom-contact fishing within these fragile habitats reveals gaps in compliance and enforcement," Dr Lissette Victorero, lead author and #researcher for the DSCC. 🗣️ "The reality of continued fishing activity by a handful of vessels in areas where the presence of #VMEs has been confirmed sends a clear signal that the next phase of recommended VME closures under the Deep-Sea Access Regulation should be progressed without delay," Bronwen Golder, Global Seamounts Campaign Lead at DSCC. 🟣🔵 Read more details here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dvrDuRVN *Photo: Adobe Stock.

🆕 Planet Tracker report provides financial institutions with recommendations for developing investment and financing policies to protect themselves from the environmental and financial risks of #DeepSeaMining. Previous Planet Tracker reports flagged the significant financial risks from the industry, including the potential to put at risk billions of USD of corporate value and export earnings per year for the countries most dependent on mining copper, cobalt, manganese and nickel on land. Planet Tracker suggests financial institutions adopt all three of the following recommendations to protect themselves from these risks: 🌊 Support a moratorium on deep-sea mining 🚫 Develop a publicly disclosed policy on deep-sea mining 🔋 Engage with sectors that could use deep sea minerals like solar and wind power, electric vehicles, consumer electronics and steel. https://lnkd.in/eFWAZ2-6 #DefendTheDeep

2024 was a year of progress for the ocean, fueled by strong partnerships, emerging science, and a growing global commitment to deep-sea conservation. In 2025, we’re aiming even higher to protect the #OceanLifelines! Seamounts, Science, and the Path Forward for 2025: https://lnkd.in/gYvSzjBx #DefendTheDeep #ProtectSeamounts

In December 2024, The International Council on Clean Transportation released a pivotal report confirming that global mineral reserves are more than sufficient to meet long-term battery material demand. The report highlights that we can reduce the need for new mining by focusing on making vehicles even more sustainable. This reinforces a critical point: #DeepSeaMining is unnecessary for the green transition. Instead, we must protect the seabed and prioritize a sustainable, intact ocean ecosystem. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/debHXNsa #DefendTheDeep

What can financial institutions do to protect themselves from the environmental and financial risks of deep sea mining? 1️⃣ Join the global moratorium on deep sea mining alongside leading banks, investors, businesses, governments, and scientists (https://lnkd.in/epQ3nueN). 2️⃣ Develop a publicly disclosed policy committing not to invest in or finance companies or projects involved in deep sea mining. This could mean adding to existing policies on mining and extractive sectors. 3️⃣ Engage with sectors that could use deep sea minerals like solar and wind power, electric vehicles, consumer electronics and steel. Learn more in our report, ‘Deep Sea Mining: A Policy Guide for Financial Institutions (https://lnkd.in/eFWAZ2-6). #DeepSeaMining #Moratorium #SustainableFinance #ResponsibleInvestment #ClimateAction #ESG #Oceans Deep Sea Conservation Coalition International Seabed Authority

⛏Scientists warn that deep-sea mining could irreversibly destroy fragile marine habitats and ecosystems. 🌍An Africa-Europe-led pause is a prudent application of the precautionary approach that has long guided marine conservation. ⚠️Without decisive action from world leaders at Davos, this destructive practice could persist for decades. Africa and Europe have a unique opportunity to showcase international cooperation by halting deep-sea mining before it begins, say Amb. Nancy Karigithu and Pascal Lamy, Co-chairs of the Africa-Europe Strategy Group on Ocean Governance. 💡Read more https://bit.ly/40CaZoY. Raphael Danglade, CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency #FutureAfricaEurope