The Canadian government has announced its support for a moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining in international waters due to environmental concerns, as reported by Reuters on July 11. The decision to back the moratorium stems from the lack of a robust regulatory framework and inadequate understanding of the comprehensive environmental impacts associated with seabed mining, according to federal fisheries minister Joyce Murray. Earlier this year, Canada also committed to not allowing mining in its domestic ocean seabed unless a “rigorous regulatory structure” is in place, emphasizing its commitment to environmental protection.

The announcement aligns with the ongoing discussions among governments at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting in Jamaica, where the possibility of allowing  to seabed mining  as early as this year is debated. Canada is among several governments that have expressed objections to the industry moving forward. The ISA was tasked with establishing rules on deep-sea mining two years ago when Vancouver-based startup, The Metals Company (TMC), applied for a deep-sea mining license. TMC has identified significant metal reserves at the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean, which it believes can provide a stable supply of metals used in electric vehicles. However, scientists and a coalition of opponents have raised concerns about the potential disruption of ecosystems and the little-known ocean carbon pump associated with deep-sea mining.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/land-use-biodiversity/canada-opposes-commercial-seabed-mining-without-environmental-assessment-2023-07-10/

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/canada-backs-moratorium-on-deep-sea-mining-opposing-vancouver-companys-plans-7257871

https://www.ft.com/content/545da351-bd86-4145-9269-44857b89650e

https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/press-release/59850/canada-backs-moratorium-on-deep-sea-mining-as-critical-talks-resume/