CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
Growing concerns are emerging around the environmental implications of deep-sea mining, particularly in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean. The Metals Company, a Canadian enterprise, is actively seeking permission to extract mineral-rich nodules from this deep-sea area, which is considered vital for sourcing materials essential to the global green energy transition. However, recent scientific studies have highlighted the significant risks to marine ecosystems, particularly to cetaceans like whales and dolphins.
About Deep-Sea Mining
Deep-sea mining involves harvesting polymetallic nodules and minerals from the ocean floor, especially in regions rich in rare earth elements. The CCZ, spanning about 6 million square kilometres, lies between Hawaii and Mexico and is one of the most resource-abundant seabed areas. Oversight of mining activities in international waters is carried out by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). While 17 exploration contracts have been approved, commercial extraction has not yet begun.
Environmental Risks Identified
Two recent studies have exposed substantial gaps in scientific understanding of how mining operations may affect deep-sea organisms. One report found that over 65% of taxonomic classes in the CCZ have never been evaluated for their response to underwater noise pollution. This is concerning, as noise generated from mining machinery can disrupt the delicate balance of biodiversity in these deep-sea environments.
Effects On Cetacean Species
A second study concentrated on cetaceans including sperm whales and various dolphin species inhabiting or migrating through areas slated for mining. Researchers recorded acoustic data over 13 days, confirming that these marine mammals are highly sensitive to human-generated noise. The study suggests that such disruptions can interfere with their communication, navigation, and feeding habits, potentially forcing them to abandon important habitats.
Legal And Regulatory Landscape
The United States, under the Trump administration, accelerated its seabed mineral exploration under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, despite not being a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Meanwhile, the ISA is in the process of finalising a global mining code, intended to regulate environmental practices and commercial operations in the international seabed.
Global Response And Ongoing Debate
The issue has attracted considerable attention at forums like the United Nations Ocean Conference, where several member nations expressed their reservations about launching full-scale deep-sea mining without adequate environmental safeguards. Critics stress the urgent need for further research and regulatory clarity before moving forward with industrial operations that could alter one of Earth’s least understood ecosystems.
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