Environmentalists Welcome Call for Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium
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June 9, 2025 Hour: 1:10 pm
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference kicked off on Monday in France.
On Monday, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and other environmental organizations welcomed European Council President Antonio Costa’s call to support a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
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“There is no scientific basis or economic justification for deep-sea mining. Instead, President Costa advocates for a smarter, more resilient path, grounded in innovation and circular economy solutions that respect planetary boundaries. With today’s statement, the European Union strongly reinforces a growing global consensus,” said EJF Director Steve Trent.
The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) kicked off on Monday in Nice, France, under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”
Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the UNOC3 brings together delegations from U.N. member state governments, as well as stakeholders from international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector to discuss global ocean governance.
In his speech ahead of the presentation of the European Ocean Pact, Costa said the EU has both the will and the necessary conditions to become a global scientific hub for ocean knowledge.
“That is why a moratorium on deep-sea mining could be useful,” he said, urging the promotion of a “science-based approach to a global dialogue between public and private sectors.”
Sandrine Polti, European lead for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, added that “deep-sea mining poses unacceptable environmental, social, and financial risks. We must prioritize science before opening the door to such a destructive new extractive industry.”
Currently, 33 countries support a moratorium on deep-sea mining — a policy that would aid in meeting the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UNOC3’s goal is to support the implementation of SDG 14, which focuses on three priorities: working toward the successful completion of ocean-related multilateral processes to raise ambition for ocean protection; mobilizing funding for SDG 14 and supporting the development of a sustainable blue economy; and strengthening and better disseminating marine scientific knowledge to inform policymaking.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: EFE – Xinhua