The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) welcomes the call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining issued in the SOS Ocean Summit Manifesto, released yesterday in Paris, as part of a high-level summit hosted by France. Endorsed by leading ocean experts, the Manifesto recognizes the irreversible harm that deep-sea mining would inflict on ocean ecosystems and urges countries at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to align with global scientific consensus by adopting a moratorium on this destructive industry for at least 10-15 years – or until sufficient knowledge is available to make informed decisions.
On the same day, the Global Deep-Sea Consultation, a grouping of international scientific experts tasked with synthesizing the best available science on the deep sea and deep-sea mining, issued an unequivocal call for a moratorium. The report warned that a holistic assessment of environmental, social, cultural, legal, and economic factors makes clear that the risks of deep-sea mining far outweigh any potential benefits.
These powerful calls come just days after the ISA concluded another negotiating session where States firmly resisted industry pressure to fast-track deep-sea mining and instead raised serious concerns over the environmental destruction, economic risks, and threats to cultural heritage and ways of life posed by this destructive industry.
Sofia Tsenikli, Global Campaign Director for the DSCC, said, “These urgent calls for a moratorium reinforce the growing global momentum to protect the deep sea from irreversible harm. A moratorium is the solution to the mounting threats and pressure from mining companies, and would be a victory for multilateralism at a time when global cooperation is more essential than ever. Leaders must seize the opportunity at the ISA Council and Assembly meetings in July 2025 to change course and safeguard the ocean for future generations. We cannot afford to risk our planet’s last wilderness area.”
As we approach the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in June, the DSCC urges all governments to join this call for precautionary action and commit to protecting the deep sea – a critical ally in the fight against climate breakdown and biodiversity loss. President Macron reinforced this call at the SOS Summit and indicated the French government’s intention to advance a moratorium at the July ISA meetings
Currently, 32 governments, over 60 businesses – including Samsung, Google, and Apple – financial institutions, scientists, UN human rights experts, fishers, Indigenous and civil society groups support a precautionary moratorium or pause on deep-sea mining.
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About the DSCC
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) was founded in 2004 in response to international concerns over the harmful impacts of deep-sea bottom trawling.
Today, more than 130 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), fishers’ associations, and law and policy institutes worldwide are working together under the umbrella of the DSCC to ensure the protection of vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems.