For the first time, scientists have a comprehensive overview of the gaps in knowledge about ocean areas targeted for deep-sea mining and how they could be impacted. New research, published in Marine Policy and co-authored by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa oceanographers, shows that the science is insufficient to support evidence-based decision-making should mining move forward. These findings come as the International Seabed Authority prepares to meet in late March to discuss regulations that would allow commercial-scale deep-sea mining to begin as early as July 2023.The study was led by deep-sea biologist Diva Amon, a former postdoctoral scholar at UH who starred alongside Will Smith in an episode of National Geographic’s Welcome to Earth series on Disney+ and more than 30 other scientists and policymakers from around the world.By reviewing hundreds of scientific articles and interviewing dozens of stakeholders, the study identifies gaps in environmental knowledge for areas of the deep seabed targeted for mining. Further, the authors propose a path for filling those gaps to help policymakers better understand the negative ecological and economic impacts that mining would cause so they can ground their decisions in science.
For the first time, scientists have a comprehensive overview of the gaps in knowledge about ocean areas targeted for deep-sea mining and how they could be impacted. New research, published in Marine Policy and co-authored by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa oceanographers, shows that the science is insufficient to support evidence-based decision-making should mining move forward. These findings come as the International Seabed Authority prepares to meet in late March to discuss regulations that would allow commercial-scale deep-sea mining to begin as early as July 2023.The study was led by deep-sea biologist Diva Amon, a former postdoctoral scholar at UH who starred alongside Will Smith in an episode of National Geographic’s Welcome to Earth series on Disney+ and more than 30 other scientists and policymakers from around the world.By reviewing hundreds of scientific articles and interviewing dozens of stakeholders, the study identifies gaps in environmental knowledge for areas of the deep seabed targeted for mining. Further, the authors propose a path for filling those gaps to help policymakers better understand the negative ecological and economic impacts that mining would cause so they can ground their decisions in science.
