Weeks after government leaders pledged to take significant action for ocean protection at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council and Assembly concluded without a moratorium on deep-sea mining. This has resulted in a growing discrepancy between promised environmental stewardship and actual performance. Despite strong advocacy from several states opposing the rapid exploitation of deep-sea resources, many governments failed to rise to the occasion during the recent meetings in Kingston, missing a crucial opportunity to safeguard marine ecosystems in a time of escalating ecological crisis.
The Deep-Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) is now urging all nations to reconsider the political and ethical implications of their inaction, advocating firmly for an immediate moratorium. During the ISA Assembly, key discussions surrounding the deep ocean’s role in climate regulation, the necessity of sourcing minerals from the depths, and the significant knowledge gaps regarding deep-sea ecosystems were overlooked. Although several champion states attempted to bring these essential issues to the forefront, their efforts were met with resistance from a minority of nations.
“Thirty-eight states have joined the call for a moratorium or precautionary pause, with Croatia joining the coalition during this Assembly,” stated Sofia Tsenikli, DSCC Campaign Director. “However, too many other states, despite their bold ocean commitments at UNOC, have failed to act decisively at the ISA. It is crucial for these governments to honor their promises and take the necessary steps to implement a moratorium before it’s too late.”
The ISA Assembly featured a series of impassioned calls for action, with notable interventions from President Whipps of Palau, Minister Juan Carlos Navarro of Panama, and Ocean Ambassador Olivier Poivre d’Arvor of France, who suggested a precautionary pause of 10-15 years. These leaders underscored the emerging public and scientific consensus against proceeding with deep-sea mining, advocating instead for immediate protective measures.
In the preceding Council meeting, although the Mining Code had not been finalized, an inquiry was initiated regarding potential breaches of contractual obligations and international law resulting from The Metals Company’s attempts to proceed with unilateral mining in international waters. Although these outcomes were viewed positively, concerns remain that without a firm moratorium, ISA decisions could inadvertently pave the way for extensive mining operations that could cause irreparable harm to the ocean.
As the UN General Assembly and the World Conservation Congress approach, there is an urgent need for governments to take decisive action and implement a moratorium before it is too late.
Matthew Gianni, DSCC Co-Founder and Political Advisor, emphasized the risks of inaction: “Staying silent or indecisive is not a viable political stance. We are jeopardizing our oceans, and future generations will hold us accountable. There remains an opportunity to halt this industry before it launches, but it requires governments to prioritize science, equity, and precaution.”
Legal adviser to the DSCC, Duncan Currie, remarked on the inquiry’s initiation, stating, “This investigation into unilateral seabed mining applications outside the UNCLOS framework is a welcome development and must proceed swiftly and thoroughly. The health of our oceans relies on it.”
As discussions continue, two significant issues still need to be resolved before today’s meeting concludes. These relate to the ISA’s legal obligation to conduct an institutional review and the initiative proposing a General Policy for the Protection of the Marine Environment. If adopted, this policy would establish essential environmental goals to ensure that ecosystem protection remains a central component of the ISA’s mandate.
