Dear Seaspirians,
Scientists have recently discovered more than 100 new marine species in Chile, thanks to a robot that is capable of descending over 4,000m. The expedition revealed amazing creatures: from glass sponges, to thousand year-old coral, squat lobsters, and many more!
This scientific discovery is a reminder of how little we truly know about the deep sea and how we must strive to protect it; fighting back against Norway’s plan to begin exploration.
Before you scroll down consider donating to Seaspiracy. No matter how small or large the donation, one time or recurring, you can help us continue our efforts to be a voice for the ocean, marine wildlife, and the people caught in the crossfire of an insatiable fishing industry 🌊🌊
Sea Stories
🪸 The Deception of Deep Sea Mining
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) was founded in 1994 as an autonomous organisation established through the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It became operational in 1996 to safeguard what we know as the “deep sea” — an area considered the “common heritage of all mankind“ — by protecting the ecosystems of the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The ISA’s focus includes controlling the development of deep sea mining, which was debated last month through two of the five arms of the ISA, the Council and the Assembly.
On July 21st 2023, the ISA Council concluded two weeks of intense negotiations. Discussions were focused on a deep sea mining code, which was not agreed nor adopted. The mining industry interested in the sea floor were hopeful of starting their operations this year. This was led by one of the attendees, The Metals Company, who was sponsored by the Government of Nauru in creating the Nauru Ocean Resources, Inc. (NORI). NORI has engaged in comprehensive research of seabed rocks, or polymetallic nodules, which they say are packed with cobalt, copper and nickel, and could power 280 million electric vehicles. It was Nauru, on behalf of The Metals Company, who triggered the current push for deep sea mining in 2021.
📺 What we’re watching: Deep Rising
📚What we’re reading: The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean by Susan Casey
📸 Who we’re following: @deep_sea_conserve
🤯 Mindblowing ocean fact we learnt this month: Only 5% of the oceans have been explored and chartered by humans.