Deep Sea Mining Policy: Resources, Sign-on Opportunity, & Workshop Recording

[SCB Marine]

Dear SCB Marine Community, 

This message summarizes results from the recent Deep Sea Mining Virtual Policy Workshop, next steps, shares additional resources, and invites sign on to the marine-expert statement calling for a pause to deep-sea mining. 

• The marine-expert statement calling for a pause to deep-sea mining currently includes 970 signatories from over 70 countries. Will you help elevate this statement to 1000 expert collective voices?

On 21 April, 2026, SCB Policy Officer, David Costalago, hosted a virtual policy workshop on Deep Sea Mining. The workshop included voices from distinguished speakers: Dr. Diva Amon, Angelo Villagomez, Dr. Andrew Thaler, and moderated by Nicole Zanesco. The recording is available here.

The workshop brought together perspectives on:

• The current state of scientific knowledge on deep‑sea ecosystems and mining technologies,
• Ongoing processes and debates at the International Seabed Authority,
• Ethical, equity, and governance considerations surrounding deep sea mining,
• And the role scientists and scientific societies can play in informing policy debates under uncertainty.

Across presentations and discussions, several strong themes emerged, including:

• The importance of clearly articulating what science can—and cannot—currently support,
• The challenge of decision‑making under deep uncertainty and irreversibility,
• The need for stronger science–policy interfaces that are transparent about values and trade‑offs,
• And a shared interest in identifying constructive, credible roles for SCB and its members.

Now we’d like your input

As a next step, SCB Marine is exploring what the Society could realistically and responsibly do on this issue over the next 12–15 months.

We would very much appreciate your feedback on:

• What roles SCB is well suited—or not well suited—to play,
• Which potential actions would be most useful or impactful,
• And how members might want to be involved going forward.

Please share your thoughts via this short (4-5 min) feedback form:https://forms.gle/hKgWhhwx4uQevuZv9

Your input will directly inform decisions about potential follow‑up activities, such as synthesis products, guidance for scientists engaging in policy processes, or additional convenings.

Additional Resources: 

• Wall Street Journal: Environmental Investing Frenzy Stretches Meaning of ‘Green
• Mongabay OpEd by Andrew Thaler: Deep-sea wildernesses are more important than the promise of seafloor mining (analysis)
• Center for American Progress: Why Alaska and U.S. Territories Get Damage, Not Dollars, From Deep-Sea Mining by Angelo Villagomez
• US- National Ocean Protection Coalition
• Deep Sea Conservation Coalition 

Petitions and Sign-Ons

• Petition to Oppose Imposition of Deep Seabed Mining in US territories/Petición para oponerse a la minería de los fondos marinos profundos en territorios estadounidenses
• Join the Business Coalition for a Moratorium on Deep Seabed Mining
• Seafood Market Statement Supporting a Pause on Deep-Sea Mining
• Marine Expert Statement Calling for a Pause to Deep-Sea Mining