Stars of stage and screen voice support for deep sea mining moratorium

A group of celebrities has called on the government should support a global moratorium on deep sea mining.

Olivia Colman, Jim Carter, Stephen Fry, Robert Lindsay and Joanna Lumley are urging the UK to join a growing number of governments and companies around the world calling for a halt on the industry before it can begin.

Thirty-one exploration contracts have been issued by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), although no company is allowed to begin extracting yet.

They are searching for deposits of minerals such as cobalt, zinc and magnesium that are often used in renewable technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.

Many scientists, activists, governments and businesses are concerned that mining will destroy barely understood and fragile ecosystems on the sea floor.

Researchers from the Natural History Museum believe there are up to 8,000 undiscovered species in an area of the Pacific called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, which has become a centre of attraction for mining companies.

'It's crucial the government fully considers the long-term consequences of deep sea mining - the latest in a long list of threats to our beleaguered oceans,' said Ms Colman.

'The deep ocean is home to diverse and fragile life forms that we are only just beginning to understand. To forge ahead risks damaging ecosystems to a point from which they may never recover.'

The UK government has said it will not sponsor or support deep sea mining contracts unless there is sufficient scientific evidence about its potential effects on ecosystems and until 'strong and enforceable' environmental regulations and standards are in place.

It has rejected a moratorium, arguing it is better to be involved in negotiating for the introduction of environmental protections.

In March, UN members states including the UK agreed the Global Ocean Treaty, which aims to protect large areas of marine life by putting stricter regulations on deep sea mining and fishing.

Deep-sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed – the ocean below 200m.

Depleting terrestrial deposits and rising demand for metals mean deep-sea mining may begin soon, even though research suggests that it could destroy habitats and wipe out species.

Charities and NGOs say comprehensive studies are needed to improve our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and the vital services they provide to people, such as food and carbon sequestration.

Source: International Union for the Conservation of Nature

'Just months after the government celebrated its role in the historic UN Ocean Treaty, it appears rather hypocritical to forge ahead with discussions on deep sea mining,' said Mr Fry.

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'The serious and ongoing concerns expressed by scientists regarding the risks deep sea mining poses to marine life should be more than sufficient to dissuade the government.

'Instead of enabling the expansion of this destructive new industry, the government must honour its commitment to ocean protection and unite with others who are firmly opposed to deep sea mining.'

The actors' call comes ahead of a round of talks at the ISA, whose 167 members including the UK are facing commercial pressure to allow deep sea mining to begin, Greenpeace said.

More than 700 scientists from 44 countries have signed an open letter calling for the industry to be paused while companies including Samsung, Google and Volvo have said they will refuse to use metals obtained from the seabed.

Andrew Tobert, Greenpeace UK oceans campaigner, said: 'The government's lack of action on deep sea mining runs completely counter to its claims to be a global leader on marine protection.

'Not only that, it undermines its contribution towards securing the UN Ocean Treaty.

'In two weeks' time governments will formally adopt the treaty and then the UK must act to swiftly ratify it. Alongside this, it's crucial UK ministers take a strong stance on deep sea mining ahead of the ISA meeting in July.

'A moratorium is what's needed - that's not a million miles away from the UK's stated precautionary approach. What are they waiting for?'

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