Deep sea mining continues to be a growing concern (see Eco-News, Compass April 2023) as Jamaican environmental advocates are urging the government to back a moratorium until conditions around environmental harm and good governance can be met.
The deep sea, they argue, is a vital and virtually unstudied ecosystem, the largest on the planet, which is already under stress from pollutants, microplastics and climate related impacts. It stands between humans and the worst impacts of the climate breakdown by absorbing the greenhouse gases and excess heat produced by human activity.
The increased concern stems from the fact that deep sea mining is expected to go ahead in July 2023 because of a “two-year rule” that was triggered in June 2021. These regulations, the advocates argue, are being discussed in spite of the significant environmental risks and high degree of scientific uncertainty.
The protests have not fallen on deaf ears. Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, stated that the government will not allow deep sea mining until the relevant regulatory framework, which includes protection of the marine environment, is created.
“We appreciate the clarification from Minister Johnson Smith regarding deep seabed mining,” said Robyn Young, projects & administrative coordinator for Jamaica at Sustainable Ocean Alliance Caribbean. “This is wonderful news and a step in the right direction to ensure the protection of all countries whose marine ecosystems will inevitably be affected should regulations remain undefined.”
“I commend the Minister for her dedication to see regulations be put in place before deep sea mining can begin,” said Dahvia Hylton, youth advocate with the Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council. “I, however, urge delegates of the ISA to take the conversation a lot further and question what kinds of regulations can come about within such hurried timelines and without enough scientific data on the Deep Sea. The fair stance is to join the call for a moratorium on deep sea mining. There can be no proper regulations without more data.”
