Civil society applauds the President of the Council of the EU António…
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Environmental Justice Foundation
At the UN Ocean Conference, the President of the EU called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. ‘The world must not be manipulated by a few rogue deep-water extractors,’ he said. “We must prioritise science before opening the door to such a new destructive industry.’ ‘We must protect our environment and the lives of those who live in it, and those who work to protect it’, he added. � ‘This is a call for all of us to do our part to protect the environment, and the people who live and work in it.” ‘It’s time to put an end to the plundering of our oceans and seas for profit, and to the exploitation of our natural resources.‘ ‘There is no place in the world for deep sea mining, and no place for it in the 21st century’
The Environmental Justice Foundation, Seas At Risk and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition applaud these remarks and the strong stance they take against deep-sea mining.
Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, said:
“President Costa has made it abundantly clear: deep-sea mining is a risk the world cannot afford and does not need. His call for a moratorium shows bold, much-needed leadership in defence of our planet’s last untouched ecosystem.”
“There is no scientific basis or economic case for deep-sea mining. Instead, President Costa is championing a smarter, more resilient path, one built on innovation in circular economy solutions within the planet’s boundaries. With today’s statement, the EU powerfully strengthens a growing global consensus.”
“President Costa has echoed the voices of business leaders, financial institutions, scientists, Indigenous communities, fisheries groups, environmental defenders, and more than 30 governments who have all urged action to prevent irreversible harm to fragile deep-sea ecosystems.”
Monica Verbeek, Executive Director of Seas At Risk, said:
“President Costa has sent a powerful signal at a pivotal moment. His words reaffirm that no country has the right to plunder the deep seabed, a shared global heritage of humankind. The world must not be manipulated by a few rogue deep-sea mining interests seeking profit at the expense of fragile ecosystems and future generations. We welcome this European clarity which adds vital momentum to the growing call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining ahead of the international negotiations in the ISA.”
Sandrine Polti, Europe Lead for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, said:
“We welcome the strong stance of the Council President, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The deep ocean is one of the most important and least understood ecosystems on Earth. But what we already know is clear: deep-sea mining poses unacceptable environmental, social and financial risks. We must prioritise science before opening the door to such a new destructive extractive industry. We urge all EU Member States yet to support a moratorium or precautionary pause to act swiftly – our ocean’s future depends on it.”
Notes to editors
About EJF
Our work to secure environmental justice aims to protect our global climate, ocean, forests, wetlands, wildlife and defend the fundamental human right to a secure natural environment, recognising that all other rights are contingent on this. EJF works internationally to inform policy and drive systemic, durable reforms to protect our environment and defend human rights. We investigate and expose abuses and support environmental defenders, Indigenous peoples, communities, and independent journalists on the frontlines of environmental injustice. Our campaigns aim to secure peaceful, equitable and sustainable futures. Our investigators, researchers, filmmakers, and campaigners work with grassroots partners and environmental defenders across the globe. For more information, please contact media@ejfoundation.org.
About Seas at Risk
Seas At Risk is a Brussels-based NGO campaigning for the protection and restoration of the marine environment. Together with its 30+ members from all over Europe, it works to make sure that life in our seas and oceans is abundant, diverse, climate-resilient, and not threatened by human activities. For more information, please contact Helen Willetts, Communications Director at Seas At Risk, hwilletts@seas-at-risk.org.
About the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), founded in 2004, is a group of more than 130 non-governmental organizations, fishers’ associations, and law and policy institutes worldwide working together to ensure the protection of vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems. For more information, please contact Travis Aten, Communications Lead at Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, travis@communicationsinc.co.uk.
Cover photo credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration
Environmental Justice Foundation
At the UN Ocean Conference, the President of the EU called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. ‘The world must not be manipulated by a few rogue deep-water extractors,’ he said. “We must prioritise science before opening the door to such a new destructive industry.’ ‘We must protect our environment and the lives of those who live in it, and those who work to protect it’, he added. � ‘This is a call for all of us to do our part to protect the environment, and the people who live and work in it.” ‘It’s time to put an end to the plundering of our oceans and seas for profit, and to the exploitation of our natural resources.‘ ‘There is no place in the world for deep sea mining, and no place for it in the 21st century’
The Environmental Justice Foundation, Seas At Risk and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition applaud these remarks and the strong stance they take against deep-sea mining.
Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, said:
“President Costa has made it abundantly clear: deep-sea mining is a risk the world cannot afford and does not need. His call for a moratorium shows bold, much-needed leadership in defence of our planet’s last untouched ecosystem.”
“There is no scientific basis or economic case for deep-sea mining. Instead, President Costa is championing a smarter, more resilient path, one built on innovation in circular economy solutions within the planet’s boundaries. With today’s statement, the EU powerfully strengthens a growing global consensus.”
“President Costa has echoed the voices of business leaders, financial institutions, scientists, Indigenous communities, fisheries groups, environmental defenders, and more than 30 governments who have all urged action to prevent irreversible harm to fragile deep-sea ecosystems.”
Monica Verbeek, Executive Director of Seas At Risk, said:
“President Costa has sent a powerful signal at a pivotal moment. His words reaffirm that no country has the right to plunder the deep seabed, a shared global heritage of humankind. The world must not be manipulated by a few rogue deep-sea mining interests seeking profit at the expense of fragile ecosystems and future generations. We welcome this European clarity which adds vital momentum to the growing call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining ahead of the international negotiations in the ISA.”
Sandrine Polti, Europe Lead for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, said:
“We welcome the strong stance of the Council President, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The deep ocean is one of the most important and least understood ecosystems on Earth. But what we already know is clear: deep-sea mining poses unacceptable environmental, social and financial risks. We must prioritise science before opening the door to such a new destructive extractive industry. We urge all EU Member States yet to support a moratorium or precautionary pause to act swiftly – our ocean’s future depends on it.”
Notes to editors
About EJF
Our work to secure environmental justice aims to protect our global climate, ocean, forests, wetlands, wildlife and defend the fundamental human right to a secure natural environment, recognising that all other rights are contingent on this. EJF works internationally to inform policy and drive systemic, durable reforms to protect our environment and defend human rights. We investigate and expose abuses and support environmental defenders, Indigenous peoples, communities, and independent journalists on the frontlines of environmental injustice. Our campaigns aim to secure peaceful, equitable and sustainable futures. Our investigators, researchers, filmmakers, and campaigners work with grassroots partners and environmental defenders across the globe. For more information, please contact media@ejfoundation.org.
About Seas at Risk
Seas At Risk is a Brussels-based NGO campaigning for the protection and restoration of the marine environment. Together with its 30+ members from all over Europe, it works to make sure that life in our seas and oceans is abundant, diverse, climate-resilient, and not threatened by human activities. For more information, please contact Helen Willetts, Communications Director at Seas At Risk, hwilletts@seas-at-risk.org.
About the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), founded in 2004, is a group of more than 130 non-governmental organizations, fishers’ associations, and law and policy institutes worldwide working together to ensure the protection of vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems. For more information, please contact Travis Aten, Communications Lead at Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, travis@communicationsinc.co.uk.
Cover photo credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration