Oceans cannot become 'wild west', warns UN chief

At the recent United Nations Oceans Conference held in Nice, France, UN Secretary General António Guterres issued a strong warning against unregulated mining in the deep sea. He emphasized that the deep ocean should not become a lawless area, comparing it to the Wild West where anything goes. This statement highlights growing concerns about the environmental risks posed by mining activities on the seabed, especially the extraction of valuable minerals found in metallic nodules. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these concerns, declaring that the oceans are not for sale and criticizing the idea of exploiting the deep sea for economic gain without considering the damage it could cause to marine ecosystems.

The issue of deep-sea mining has become a major topic of debate among scientists, environmentalists, and world leaders. Over 2,000 scientists recently gathered to review the latest data on ocean health and recommended that governments impose a moratorium on deep-sea mining until further research can be conducted. This precautionary approach aims to prevent irreversible harm to biodiversity and the delicate balance of ocean life. More than 30 countries support this call for a pause on mining activities, but some governments, including the United States under former President Donald Trump, have moved forward with issuing permits for mineral extraction in international waters.

One of the key objectives of the UN Oceans Conference is to encourage at least 60 countries to ratify a High Seas Treaty that would protect 30% of international waters by 2030. This treaty, agreed upon two years ago, seeks to establish marine protected areas where fishing and mining are restricted to allow ecosystems to recover. Although 15 additional countries have ratified the treaty recently, bringing the total to 47, more support is needed to bring it into force. The UK has yet to ratify the agreement but has announced a ban on destructive bottom trawling fishing methods that drag heavy nets along the seafloor, causing significant damage. However, environmentalists, including Sir David Attenborough, have expressed concerns that the treaty does not explicitly ban bottom trawling within these protected areas, leaving room for harmful practices to continue. Protecting the oceans is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and the health of the planet.