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CEI supports The Bahamas in calling for environmental protections against effects of deep sea mining

Did you know that a staggering 64% of the world’s ocean and seabed lie beyond the territory of individual countries? This huge no-man’s land, technically known as ‘The Area,’ contains vast mineral resources and there is a growing push to begin mining the deep seabed. What impact will this have on the ocean ecosystems and who stands to benefit?

The Bahamas Delegation on the floor of the ISA Assembly, led by the Hon Vaughn Miller. (L-R) Hon. Vaughn P. Miller, Minister of the Environment & Natural Resources; Nicholas Higgs, Bahamian Marine Biologist; Captain Godfrey Rolle, Chairman, Bahamas Maritime Delimitation Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; David Davis, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources and Rhianna Neely-Murphy, PhD, Director, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP)

Last week, Dr. Nick Higgs, Director of Research and Innovation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, joined a delegation from The Bahamas to the 29th Assembly of the International Seabed Assembly (ISA) in Jamaica, the intergovernmental body tasked with managing and regulating deep-sea mining. The landmark United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) declares that the resources in The Area are “the common heritage of all mankind.” Therefore all countries, including The Bahamas, have an equal say in how these resources are used and an equal right to the benefits from these resources. As a Bahamian with a Ph.D. in deep-sea ecology, Dr. Higgs was invited as a technical advisor and has previously represented The Bahamas in helping the ISA develop environmental management plans for deep-sea mining in the mid-Atlantic ridge area.

The Area – This map shows the parts of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction in dark blue.The seabed in The Area is overseen by the ISA.

This year, The Bahamas is taking an active role at the ISA Assembly meeting. The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Vaughn Miller, delivered a speech stressing the need to prioritize the protection of the marine environment. The Minister was clear on The Bahamas’ position calling for “robust environmental regulations, stringent monitoring mechanisms and comprehensive impact assessments to minimize the adverse effects of deep-sea mining.” He went on to say that, “As a big ocean state… We understand the critical importance of preserving and protecting our marine ecosystems for current and future generations.”

Leading the Global Movement for deep sea Protections

The Bahamas has also been a leading voice in pushing the international community to act on climate change. Humanity needs to work collectively towards net-zero carbon emissions if we are to halt the worst effects of climate change. One view is that we are going to need mineral resources like the cobalt, nickel and manganese from deep sea deposits to build the batteries needed for a global shift towards green energy. In other words, maybe deep-sea mining is a necessary risk we have to take. Yet others argue that new battery technologies and recycling make the need for deep-sea mining obsolete, and that we should not risk the potential damage to large parts of the marine environment.

Atlantic Deep sea nodules – Metal-rich rocks called nodules cover large areas of the deep-sea bed all over the world. This is a picture from the North Atlantic ocean but the first site targeted by mining companies is in the central Pacific.

Many observers see the 29th Assembly this year as a critical juncture, with key issues being addressed. For example, several countries have put forward a proposal for a “general policy … for the protection and preservation of the marine environment”, that would facilitate a transparent and well-informed discussion about how the ISA implements its legal duty to protect the environment (Article 145 of UNCLOS). The ISA has made significant strides in this area and takes its responsibility seriously,  but many scientists feel that we just don’t have enough scientific information to understand the impacts that mining might have on the environment.

There is a growing number of countries calling for a “precautionary pause” on advancing deep-sea mining until robust regulations are in place. The draft regulations that would govern mining activities are not yet finalized, but an obscure technical rule has raised the prospect that some contractors can apply to start mining even if the regulations are not complete. Many member countries see this as unacceptable and are keen to see the regulations completed.

The Cape Eleuthera Institute has led the way in exploring deep-sea habitats in The Bahamas, recently describing a new species of deep-sea isopod. We continue to advocate for the conservation of and connection to all parts of our environment, as well as the safe and sustainable use of natural resources. It is a privilege to use our expertise to support the government of The Bahamas and play our part in the global community to ensure a sustainable future for our planet and its people.