Deep sea mining News

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A glass octopus, a nearly transparent species whose only visible features are its optic nerve, eyeballs and digestive tract.

The Metals Company applied to the U.S. for a deep-sea mining license

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 30 Apr 2025
A squat lobster in the deep sea.

With deep-sea mining plans in limbo, Norwegian companies fold or dig in

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 22 Apr 2025
Greenpeace activists from New Zealand and Mexico confront TMC’s deep-sea mining vessel, “Hidden Gem,” off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico, in 2022. Image by © Gustavo Graf / Greenpeace.

Deep-sea miner TMC seeks U.S. approval, potentially bypassing global regulator

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 28 Mar 2025
A moray eel in the coral reefs of the Daymaniyat Islands, Oman.

2024’s top ocean news stories (commentary)

Alfredo Giron, Ana K. Spalding, Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor, Asha de Vos, Cinda P. Scott, Josheena Naggea, Juan José Alava, Olivia Milloway, Rita Maria el Zaghloul 8 Jan 2025
Narwhal image by Газпром нефть via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

We need a North Pole Marine Reserve to secure a healthy future for Arctic waters (commentary)

Graeme Chesters 6 Jan 2025
A coral reef in the shallow waters of the Andaman Sea.

India advances deep-sea mining technology in the Andaman Sea

Priyanka Shankar 21 Nov 2024
An orca in Skjervøy, Norway.

Norway poised to sail past opposition with deep-sea mining licensing plans

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 7 Oct 2024
Clown fish in anemone

The ocean ‘belongs to all of us’: Interview with Palau President Whipps

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 5 Sep 2024
A school of barracuda in Papua New Guinea.

Not merely ‘exploration’: PNG deep-sea mining riles critics & surprises officials

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 2 Sep 2024
Leticia Carvalho

Brazil’s Carvalho to lead seabed-mining authority following predecessor’s controversial term

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 3 Aug 2024
Leticia Carvalho

‘Trust needs to be rebuilt’: Interview with candidate to head U.N. seabed-mining authority

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 4 Jul 2024
A brooding squid (Gonatus onyx) and her egg sack.

Deep-sea mining’s future still murky as negotiations end on mixed note

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 2 Apr 2024
Deep-sea mining equipment aboard the D/V Chikyu. Image courtesy of JAMSTEC.

Japan prepares to mine its deep seabed by decade’s end

Annelise Giseburt 21 Mar 2024
The helmet jellyfish (Periphylla periphylla) collected with a remotely operated vehicle in the North Pacific Ocean.

Communities worry anew as PNG revives seabed mining plans

John Cannon 20 Mar 2024
Jonathan Mesulam

PNG communities resist seabed mining: Interview with activist Jonathan Mesulam

John Cannon 1 Mar 2024
An underwater view of the reef at Layang Layang Atoll in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea. Photo courtesy of Greg Asner / Divephoto.org.

‘High Seas Treaty’ name is inaccurate and should center biodiversity (commentary)

Elizabeth Mendenhall and Fuad Bateh 19 Feb 2024
A bearded seal in Svalbard.

EU parliament expresses disapproval of Norway’s deep-sea mining plans

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 8 Feb 2024
A coral reef and its residents in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Image ©Greg Asner/divephoto.org.

2023’s top ocean news stories (commentary)

Ana Spalding, David Obura, Diva Amon, Minna Epps, Rhett Bennett, U. Rashid Sumaila 16 Jan 2024
Tail of sperm whale in Norway

‘Really a sad day’ as Norway votes to allow deep-sea mining in Arctic waters

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 9 Jan 2024

In reversal, Mexico calls for moratorium on international deep-sea mining

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 28 Nov 2023

‘Very good progress’ but nothing firm as deep-sea mining rules are hashed out

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 10 Nov 2023
An area of biodiversity (including corals, crustaceans, urchins, anemones, and more) on Cacho De Coral, a newly discovered pristine coral reef.

Galápagos waters yield massive deepwater corals in latest biodiversity find

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 7 Nov 2023

Pacific alliance adopts moratorium on deep-sea mining, halting resurgent PNG project

John Cannon 6 Sep 2023
Kono village chief Chris Magalan speaks to his community members about the Solwara 1 project in New Ireland province.

Deep-sea mining project in PNG resurfaces despite community opposition

John Cannon 18 Aug 2023
Hervé Berville, France’s state secretary for the sea.

‘The deep sea is vital to protect the ocean’: Q&A with France’s Hervé Berville

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 2 Aug 2023
Seabed ecosystem.

Deep-sea mining meetings conclude after stalemate on key agenda items

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 31 Jul 2023
Sea fan in the deep ocean.

Deep-sea mining rules delayed two more years; mining start remains unclear

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 25 Jul 2023

Scores of parliamentarians renew opposition to deep-sea mining at international meeting (commentary)

Caroline Roose and Marie Toussaint 25 Jul 2023

Calls grow to put the brakes on deep-sea mining as countries discuss rules

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 12 Jul 2023
A minke whale near Svalbard.

Norway cites ‘green transition’ in move toward embracing deep-sea mining

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 21 Jun 2023
A purple sea cucumber.

Europe’s top science panel supports call for moratorium on deep-sea mining

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 9 Jun 2023

Seafloor life abounds around hydrothermal vents hot enough to melt lead

Elizabeth Claire Alberts 5 May 2023

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