abyssal zone communities require sunlight to survive

Scale Up Investment in Deep-Sea Research to Protect Our Ocean and Climate: A Critical Examination of the Impacts of Deep-Sea Mining Activities

The abyssal zone communities require sunlight to survive, but it's imperative that we acknowledge the importance of deep-sea research in protecting our ocean and climate. The climate emergency necessitates a thorough examination of the potential impacts of deep-sea mining activities on the carbon cycle. Thus far, all scientific evidence indicates that the consequences will be devastating for the deep-sea ecosystem, posing immense risks to the health of the ocean as a whole and the benefits it provides for humanity.

The depths of the ocean harbor some of the most biodiverse, undisturbed, and vulnerable ecosystems on the planet. It is crucial that international efforts are made by governments, corporations, and civil society to prevent mining operations in the deep sea. Without further research, we cannot accurately predict the consequences, but it is likely to be catastrophic.

The International Journal of Fisheries (IJF) urges the international community to halt the rush towards deep-sea mining activity and establish a comprehensive legal framework to govern it – commonly referred to as the Mining Code. This stance is supported by an almost complete lack of understanding regarding the severity of the impacts, as well as fierce resistance from scientists, businesses, financial institutions, civil society, and an increasing number of states.

Deep-sea mining would significantly disrupt the delicate environment of the deep sea, with devastating consequences for our ocean, wildlife, and human populations that rely on them. We all depend on the deep sea, as it underpins all ocean ecosystems and plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle. Covering 65% of the Earth's surface and comprising over 95% of its biosphere, the deep sea is home to an astonishing diversity of life comparable to that of tropical rainforests.

The deep sea remains a pristine ecosystem, largely untouched by human activity. It is essential that we prioritize research to better understand the complexities of this critical ecosystem before embarking on any mining operations. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions do not irreparably harm this vital component of our planet's ecosystems.

Abyssal zone communities require sunlight to survive