July 2019

...The development of seabed mining regulations, at both Pacific regional and international levels is occurring in haste in the absence of meaningful public debate and with little consideration of the precautionary principle and the free, prior and informed consent of the Pacific island citizens who would be adversely affected by this unprecedented industry.

The processes surrounding the seabed mining regulations appear to be pushed along by would-be DSM companies and skewed towards their interests.

...In recognition of this, civil society, NGOs, fisheries, tourism operators, scientists and governmental bodies around the world are calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining...