Canada now supports a moratorium on commercial seabed mining in international waters
Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario – Kingston, Jamaica July 10, 2023
As governments begin discussions at the 28th meeting of the International Seabed Authority, the government of Canada has announced its position on deep sea mining in international waters. Canada now supports a moratorium on commercial seabed mining in international waters, joining countries like Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The government of Canada stated that it recognizes marine ecosystems are critical to climate regulation and that a precautionary approach should be taken to any marine development. This aligns with its previous statement made at the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress in February 2023, when it announced a moratorium on deep sea mining within national borders. It also shows its continued commitment to protect biodiversity.
Although this is good news, this announcement provides little assurance that the government of Canada will maintain its opposition to deep sea mining. Its commitment only applies in the absence of a “comprehensive understanding of seabed mining’s environmental impacts and a robust regulatory regime”. There is still, therefore, a need for continued dialogue and action around a permanent rejection of deep-sea mining both within national and international waters.
“We welcome the government of Canada’s announcement of support for a moratorium on deep sea mining,” said Akaash Maharaj, Nature Canada’s Policy Director. “However, the test of the government’s sincerity is whether this position — announced on the eve of a high-profile international gathering — persists after the international media have wandered away. The science is unambiguous: deep sea mining poses an unacceptable risk to the very foundations of the global ecosystem and imperils the living systems of our planet.”
Nature Canada joins a strong coalition of allies calling the government to set up a permanent moratorium on deep-sea mining, including Greenpeace, Mining Watch, Northern Confluence Initiative, and Oceans North. We hope the government of Canada will respect its commitment to support strong ocean conservation and protection regulations.
View Canada’s statement here.
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