MEDIA REACTION
The new scientific report from Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) member Fauna & Flora International (FFI) sets out evidence that the risk posed by deep-sea mining to biodiversity and vital ocean services is too great to take.
As a result of the report, Sir David Attenborough has called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
Coordinator of the DSCC, Sian Owen said: “We wholly support Sir David’s moratorium call and the recommendations made in FFI’s report. At a time of converging crises in our climate, ocean and biodiversity, it is madness to begin destroying new, highly fragile areas of our planet. Governments should stop the headlong rush to mine, driven by a few States and industry players with a speculative vested interest in doing so. If not, it could be game over for the deep ocean.”
The race to begin mining the deep seabed is overseen by the International Seabed Authority which is pushing ahead with regulations despite growing calls for it to stop and give more consideration to protecting the long-term health, integrity and resilience of the environment.
NOTES:
The new report is available here. The executive summary is available here.
Please contact Patricia Roy at patricia@communicationsinc.co.uk for further information and for interviews with DSCC experts and independent scientists.
