Over half of the 3,043 Europeans questioned (56%) oppose deep-sea mining and support a temporary ban on this new industry, according to an Ipsos poll commissioned by Seas at Risk, WeMove Europe and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition and published on Tuesday 30 July.
The three non-governmental organisations have called for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as it meets for its 29th session in Kingston, Jamaica, from 29 July to 2 August. The NGOs are calling on European countries to support the idea of a moratorium on seabed mining. A debate on this subject is on the agenda for the event.
Several ISA member states want to see commercial exploitation of the seabed begin as early as 2025. But 27 countries, including 12 European countries, are calling for a moratorium, a precautionary pause or a ban on the industry in international waters, according to the NGOs.
Mining could have permanent and irreversible impacts on deep-sea ecosystems and species, according to the NGOs. Carbon storage could also be disrupted. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)