You may not know it yet, but the Norwegian government is planning to open up the Arctic Ocean for deep-sea mining. And the place they have in mind is — A region located in the Norwegian Sea — It’s about the size of New Brunswick. The impact on wildlife would be devastating.
In response, Greenpeace teamed up with scientists and campaigners to set sail on ships to proposed mining sites. witness.
Our mission is to study the whales, dolphins and porpoises that are directly threatened by the destructive impacts of this mine, to broadcast our findings and to pressure the Norwegian government to abandon its plans.
The proposed mining area features underwater mountains and ridges that are important habitats for many marine species, including whales and dolphins, which use them for feeding, breeding and navigation.
“While we have long known that whales and dolphins live in this area, we still know surprisingly little about their populations, distribution and behaviour, including how dependent they are on healthy ecosystems around seamounts,” explains David Santillo, Senior Scientist at Greenpeace Science.
But a Norwegian mining company is planning to extract mineral-rich shells from this very seamount, threatening a centuries-old ecosystem. They also plan to mine hydrothermal vents—holes in the seafloor that release mineral-rich heated water—that are essential to some deep-sea life.
Norway has already faced considerable international criticism. Over 800 marine scientists We are demanding a halt to deep-sea mining. So far, it has not worked. The Norwegian government still seems willing to risk the health and stability of this fragile ecosystem for corporate profit.
“Norway’s plan poses a direct threat not only to species and habitats on the seafloor due to mining machinery, but also to the wider marine ecosystem, from the smallest plankton to the largest whales,” explains Santillo.
© Christian Aslund / Greenpeace. A sperm whale’s tail was found in front of a Greenpeace sailing ship. witness, On a tour of a Norwegian deep sea mining vessel.
And while research is ongoing to understand the damage that this new practice will cause, we continue to discover new ways in which the deep ocean plays a vital role for the entire planet. For example, recent scientific research has shown that the polymetallic nodules of the Clarion-Clipperton Field, a region in the Pacific Ocean that is also a mining target, Plays an important role in oxygen production In the deep sea.
“Our expedition team witness “This technology will allow us to see and hear with minimal disruption, and will help fill gaps in scientific knowledge in time and space where no one is watching,” says Santillo.
Although the area is known to be home to a number of pods of whales, including sperm whales, orcas, fin whales, dolphins, and minke whales, there are still many more animals to discover and protect.
It is irresponsible for the Norwegian government to push ahead with mining despite a lack of understanding of the impacts. But there is still time to stop it, and we will not stop defending the ocean and its unique and vital ecosystem until all governments sign a ban on deep sea mining.
If you would like to learn more about this expedition, follow this link.
