The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, a global alliance of over 130 civil society organizations from across the world, and partners, have shared an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres urging him to publicly support a global moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining in order to safeguard one of Earth’s last great frontiers: the deep ocean.
As we approach the Third United Nations Ocean Conference and mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, we are at a crossroads. A reckless push to open the deep sea to industrial mining poses not only a profound threat to biodiversity and climate resilience but also to the very foundations of international law and multilateralism.
Industry actors are now attempting to bypass growing global opposition and the authority of the International Seabed Authority by exploiting legal loopholes and acting unilaterally, undermining UNCLOS and the principle of the seabed as the “common heritage of humankind.” This demands a strong and united global response.
The environmental risks are grave and irreversible. Deep-sea mining would harm biodiversity, disrupt climate regulation, and undermine global commitments to halt nature loss. A moratorium would affirm global cooperation, science-based decision-making, and protection of the deep sea for present and future generations.
We urge António Guterres to publicly call for a global moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining until independent science can demonstrate that it will not result in harm to the marine environment or loss of biodiversity. Such a call would send a powerful signal: that the future of our ocean commons will be decided by cooperation, precaution, and science—not corporate overreach.
António Guterres’ voice is vital at this pivotal moment. We stand ready to work with him to protect the deep sea and ensure that international governance remains rooted in equity, law, and sustainability.
Read the letter here.