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Euronews
4 days ago
- Science
- Euronews
Threatened whale species found in areas earmarked for deep sea mining
Two areas being targeted for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean are home to dolphins and threatened whales, a new scientific survey reveals. Sperm whales, listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, are among the marine creatures at risk if The Metals Company's mining plans go ahead, it says. The survey by researchers from the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories has been released amid rising concerns about deep sea mining, and ahead of an International Seabed Authority (ISA) summit on the issue next month. It involved a 13-day mission by Greenpeace International's Arctic Sunrise ship to two exploration blocks in the Pacific's Clarion-Clipperton Zone (known as NORI-d and TOML-e). These blocks are held by the US company, which says it is developing the world's largest estimated source of metals for batteries. 'We already knew that the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is home to at least 20 species of cetaceans, but we've now demonstrated their presence in two areas specifically earmarked for deep sea mining by The Metals Company,' explains lead author Dr Kirsten Young of the University of Exeter. The battleground over deep sea mining The seafloor has reserves of minerals in sea mounds and nodules that proponents say are necessary to make the batteries and electronics for the green transition. But conservationists argue that mining the seafloor will do irreversible damage to precious marine environments, and that taking a circular economy approach means we shouldn't need all the cobalt, manganese and other elements to be found there. The ISA conference in Jamaica next month will seek to finalise and adopt the long-awaited Mining Code - a set of regulations governing how mineral extraction in areas beyond national seas could go ahead. Some European countries have a moratorium on deep sea mining, and Portugal has issued a binding national ban on the practice. But during this time of regulatory uncertainty, some actors have been pressing ahead. After President Trump approved deep sea mining with an executive order in April, The Metals Company applied to the US government to give it unilateral permission to commercially mine the international seabed in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. How could whales and dolphins be hurt by deep sea mining? 'The Metals Company's plans to mine the seabed in the Pacific are not only a slap in the face for multilateralism and international law, science confirms they would expose some of our most iconic, charismatic and beautiful marine life to noise and other forms of pollution if allowed to go ahead,' says Louisa Casson of Greenpeace International. Using hydrophones, the research team confirmed 74 acoustic detections of cetaceans. This included a sperm whale, Risso's dolphins and common dolphins. Cetaceans are known to be impacted by noise pollution caused by humans, and could be hurt by the significant noise expected to be created by deep sea mining operations. These operations would also generate sediment plumes, which could impact cetacean populations by disrupting deep ocean food systems, the researchers warn. 'While more research is needed to build a complete picture of the impact of the noise and sediment plumes on cetaceans, it's clear that deep sea mining operations will negatively impact ocean ecosystems in areas far out to sea where monitoring is particularly challenging,' adds Dr Kirsten Young. The UN Ocean Conference in France earlier this month saw the number of countries calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining swell to 37, with Cyprus, Latvia, Cyprus and Marshall Islands adding to the chorus of disapproval. A spokesperson for The Metal's Company comments: 'When it comes to deep-sea mining, the loudest source of noise isn't our vessels - it's activist groups determined to drown out science with speculation. 'We've long known of the occasional presence of such mammals in our contract area, with many years of in-situ acoustic monitoring alongside marine mammal observation during 2022 test mining. 'This latest paper - which echoes a near-identical paper published by the same authors on the eve of an ISA meeting only two years ago - fails to mention that verified in-field data shows that noise levels capable of influencing mammal behaviour don't travel many hundreds of kilometres - they're confined to just 3.8 kilometres.'
Scoop
5 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
Threatened Whale Species In The Pacific Found In Areas Targeted By The Metals Company For Deep Sea Mining
A scientific survey of two areas targeted by The Metals Company for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean has confirmed the presence of whales and dolphins, including sperm whales, which are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The news comes as world governments are preparing to meet once again at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), where the call for a moratorium on deep sea mining keeps growing. The survey published today in the scientific journal Frontiers in Marine Science was conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories from Greenpeace International's ship, Arctic Sunrise. Researchers studied two exploration blocks held by The Metals Company in the Pacific's Clarion-Clipperton Zone (known as NORI-d and TOML-e) [1] [2] Dr Kirsten Young, Lead Study Author, University of Exeter, says, "We already knew that the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is home to at least 20 species of cetaceans, but we've now demonstrated the presence of some of these species in two areas specifically earmarked for deep sea mining by The Metals Company." Following President Trump's approval of a deep sea mining Executive Order in April 2025, The Metals Company applied to the US government to give TMC unilateral permission to commercially mine the international seabed in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. According to reports, this application covers the NORI-d area. This move bypasses and undermines the International Seabed Authority, the UN regulator for deep sea mining, which continues to prohibit commercial mining activities, and has been met with strong criticism from governments around the world. Scientists have previously warned of "long-lasting, irreversible" impacts of deep sea mining on the region. Cetaceans are known to be impacted by noise pollution caused by humans, and could be impacted by the significant noise expected to be created by deep sea mining operations. These operations would also generate sediment plumes, which could further impact cetacean populations by disrupting deep ocean food systems. Dr Kirsten Young continued, "While more research is needed to build a complete picture of the impact of the noise and sediment plumes on cetaceans, it's clear that deep sea mining operations will negatively impact ocean ecosystems in areas far out to sea where monitoring is particularly challenging." The survey provides a 13-day snapshot of cetacean activity in these two deep sea mining exploration areas. Using hydrophones, the research team confirmed 74 acoustic detections of cetaceans. This included a sperm whale, Risso's dolphins and common dolphins. Louisa Casson, Greenpeace International senior campaigner, says, "The confirmed presence of cetaceans, including threatened sperm whales, in areas that The Metals Company is targeting for deep sea mining is yet another clear warning that this dangerous industry must never be allowed to begin commercial operations. The only sensible course of action for governments at next month's International Seabed Authority meeting is to prioritise agreeing on a global moratorium." Greenpeace Aotearoa deep sea mining campaigner Juressa Lee adds, "This study again highlights why deep sea mining in the Pacific must be stopped before it gets a chance to start. Deep sea mining is just the latest colonial, extractive industry that will destroy the ocean that Indigenous Pacific Peoples depend upon for their livelihoods and to which they have close relational and ancestral ties. Pacific communities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis that they have done nothing to create. They should not be sacrificed by the false solutions being peddled by wannabe deep sea miners who will wreck their homes and livelihoods, and compromise their traditional food source." Calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining grew at the recent UN Ocean Conference, with four new countries joining the group supporting a moratorium, bringing the total to 37. The UN Secretary General also issued a strong call to stop this dangerous industry. Momentum against deep sea mining will now be carried forward at the July ISA meetings. [2] This study in the Pacific is mirrored by another recent piece of research in the Arctic by Greenpeace Nordic and Greenpeace Germany. Researchers found cetaceans, including deep-diving and noise-sensitive sperm whales and northern bottlenose whales, in an area earmarked for future mining. If the Norwegian government proceeds with deep sea mining in the area, noise and other forms of pollution risk severe consequences. Greenpeace Nordic researchers are in the Arctic right now further documenting the presence of cetaceans in the area to expose the risks of deep sea mining and to champion the protection of the Arctic's vulnerable marine life.
