Deep Sea Conservation Coalition

Cover image for "Science Spotlight" by the deep sea conservation coalition. Features text about deep-sea coral and sponge communities at the Corner Rise Seamounts in the Atlantic Ocean. Background shows an underwater view with corals.

Science Spotlight

New research shows that depth and water masses shape coral and sponge communities of the Corner Rise Seamounts. Six habitats meet criteria for Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, evidence which strengthens the case for continued protection.

Transparent Glass Octopus with visible internal organs, set against a dark background. Image courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute, part of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.

The body of the glass octopus is almost entirely clear except for its optic nerve, eyes and digestive tract.

It has unique cylindrical-shaped eyes that are hard to see from below, which scientists believe is part of its camouflage strategy.

#DeepSeaWonders

International Seabed Authority chief urges EU to back deep-sea mining rules | Euractiv Leticia Reis de Carvalho warns high seas at risk without swift agreement

Spilled some coffee today when I realised the #ISA leadership now doing a full-on roadshow to sell the #EU a #DeepSeaMining code… 🤿💰 All this without the science and so many unresolved questions. 📉🌊

Being bullied by the US? That’s not EU leadership. 🐙⚖️🌍 #DefendTheDeep #KeepItInTheSeabed

The image features a large offshore oil platform at sea under a clear blue sky. Overlaid text reads: "This is a modern day expression of colonialism and abuse of power." It lists several issues: "Bypassing international rules," "Ignoring global consent," "Ecological destruction so a few can profit," and "Exploitation of the Pacific...again."

A moratorium says clearly: no one gets to take from the global commons until everyone agrees on how it should be managed, protected and shared.

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/c...

An underwater scene showing delicate, branching pink coral set against a dark background. Text overlaid reads, "Unilateral deep-sea mining is a power grab. Taking from the global commons without consent." Credit is given to NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, INDEX-SATAL 2010.

Unilateral #DeepSeaMining is about taking what doesn’t belong to you.

The deep seabed belongs to all of us.

This deep-sea worm creates a toxic yellow pigment found in Rembrandt and Cézanne paintings Paralvinella hessleri is the first known animal to create orpiment, which was used by artists for centuries.

DYK? At Pacific hydrothermal vents, a deep-sea worm can turn two poisons into one harmless solid, a toxic pigment, which has been used by painters for centuries. 🎨

Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02771-9

Underwater image featuring a squid near the text "Pressing Pause on Deep-Sea Mining: Why the BBNJ Agreement demands a moratorium." Credit: NOAA.

The High Seas Treaty is now in force.

Launching deep-sea mining would undermine it.

Our new briefing explains why a moratorium at the ISA is essential to protect biodiversity, uphold equity and give real effect to #BBNJ

https://bit.ly/4keEMMK

Protecting Africa’s Ocean Future and Why a Precautionary Pause on Deep-sea Mining Matters The world is entering a decisive period for the future of the ocean. With the High Seas Treaty coming into force and meaningful progress being made on the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheri...

A precautionary pause is needed to protect Africa's ocean future.

In a new op-ed, former Seychellois President James Michel & Dona Bertarelli highlight the scientific, economic & equity risks of rushing into DSM, and why a pause is the responsible path forward.

www.ipsnews.net/2026/02/prot...

The hidden money behind deep-sea mining A DW investigation traces the hidden financial web behind deep-sea mining — an industry scientists say remains poorly understood, yet capable of causing irreversible harm to oceans worldwide.

It is good to see the focus on pension funds investing in #DeepSeaMining in this article. Although some financiers and insurers have excluded deep-sea mining, so far no pension funds have made such a pledge.

www.dw.com/en/the-hidde...

Giant isopods grow up to 40cm long and are typically found 170—2,100 meters deep in the Indo-Pacific and Western Atlantic Ocean.

Fluttering pleopods help them swim and their slow metabolism helps them survive long periods without food.

#DeepSeaWonders

🚫 A global appeal to pause deep-sea mining until impacts are properly understood

🔗 Learn more and add your support:
👉 seabedminingsciencestatement.org

Scientists Call for Urgent Protection of Deep-Sea Ecosystems Join scientists in calling for immediate action for full implementation of existing commitments to protect deep-sea biodiversity.

⛰️ A call to strengthen protection for seamounts and vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems.

🔗 Learn more and add your support:
👉 stateoftheocean.org/seamountspro...

Two international science statements underscore the concerns of the scientific community. If you are a scientist or researcher, you can join these calls for action to help ensure that decisions about the deep sea are guided by evidence, responsibility, and long-term planetary health.

Keep reading 👇

The deep ocean is essential to life on Earth, yet it remains one of the least understood and most vulnerable parts of our planet.

As destructive fishing practices continue & pressure grows for deep-sea mining, scientists are calling for precaution, protection, and science-based decision-making.

The deep sea is at risk.

Pressure to start deep-sea mining is escalating, even through unilateral actions that bypass international law.

A moratorium is the only responsible path forward.

✊ Tell your government to act now: DefendTheDeep.org

Deep sea mining is reckless, untested, and threatens the very fabric of island communities. @RepKimKingHinds has it right: “In places like the Marianas, American Samoa, and Guam, we don’t get the luxury of being wrong… There’s no ‘fix it and move it somewhere else.’”

“The ocean is not something we talk about in theory: it is how we live, it feeds our family, it holds our history and connects our people to generations before us.” Thank you @RepMoylan. Deep sea mining has NO place in Pacific waters. #DefendTheDeep

5️⃣ National Indigenous Times
nit.com.au/08-01-2026/2...

@atb4a.bsky.social

6️⃣ @theconversation.com
theconversation.com/deep-sea-min...

3️⃣ @oceanographicmag.bsky.social oceanographicmagazine.com/news/world-r...

4️⃣ @oceanographicmag.bsky.social
oceanographicmagazine.com/news/largest...
@vicuniwgtn.bsky.social
@jamesbellocean.bsky.social

Stories by:
1️⃣ @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2512...

@samsocean.bsky.social @bostonu.bsky.social
@nupress.bsky.social

2️⃣ West Hawaii Today
www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/01/02/n...

@nhm-london.bsky.social
@adrg2.bsky.social

Cover of the January 2026 issue of Deep Sea News, featuring an image of a squid next to a cluster of mussels underwater, with the Schmidt Ocean Institute logo visible. Published by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.

Deep-sea news alert!

Our round-up brings you top stories from the ocean depths of the past few weeks. Check the images to stay updated. A thread 🧵

#DeepSeaNews

Trump’s push to mine deep-sea battery metals draws ire from allies At U.N. talks in Jamaica, allies blasted the U.S. bid to unilaterally mine the high seas. Some made an unusual move to side with America’s economic foe:…

Deep-sea mining CEOs testifying on Capitol Hill right now saying U.S. needs to mine the high seas now before China does.

It's not true.

China is waiting for an international frameworks to take shape. America is the one going rogue. And that's driving U.S. allies closer to China. My reporting 👇

Congress talkin bout deep sea mining today…

Statement on The Metals Company’s application to unilaterally mine international waters via the United States - DSCC The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) strongly condemns The Metals Company’s (TMC) attempt to fast-track deep-sea mining through a unilateral U.S. permitting process in international waters, atte...

The DSCC condemns TMC's attempt to fast-track deep-sea mining via a unilateral U.S. process.

As governments approach critical decisions at the ISA this year, establishing a global moratorium on this destructive industry is more urgent than ever.

deep-sea-conservation.org/statement-on...

Deep beneath the ocean’s sunlit surface is an extraordinary world where most people never go: the deep sea.

These depths are teeming with life; scientists believe as many as 10 million different species live in the deep sea – a biodiversity as rich as tropical rainforests.

Trump is steamrolling global calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining It wants to greenlight mining outside of US national jurisdiction.

The Trump administration is bending the rules to open up the deep sea to commercial mining for the first time.

Trump to speed permits for deep-sea mining in international waters The Trump administration is pressing ahead on Wednesday with an effort to encourage U.S. exploration of the deep sea by accelerating permitting for companies hunting for critical minerals in international waters, a move that is likely to face environmental and legal concerns.

Trump to speed permits for deep-sea mining in international waters reut.rs/3Zqekpy

The Trump administration has issued a new rule to fast-track deep-sea mining in international waters, bringing the US a step closer to unilaterally launching the controversial industry. u.afp.com/SBpo

Villagomez warns of rushed timeline as deep-sea mining process advances near Marianas Angelo Villagomez, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, told NMI News Service’s Good Morning Marianas that a federal deep-sea mining push is moving too fast, with public comments due...

Angelo Villagomez highlights concerns over the expedited timeline for public comments on deep-sea mining in the Northern Mariana Islands.
www.nminewsservice.com/villagomez-c...

Promotional image featuring a close-up of a Greenland Shark underwater, set against a greenish background, with the logo of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition at the top.

Greenland sharks grow less than 1cm per year, reach sexual maturity at 150 years old and are the slowest sharks in the world.

These deep-sea creatures live to at least 250 years, making them the longest-lived vertebrates on Earth.

#DeepSeaWonders