Most Europeans oppose deep sea mining

The survey results have been published as world governments conete for the International Seabed Authority conference in Kingston, Jamaica. 

The gathering of policymakers will focus on negotiating whether to open the ocean to deep sea mining, despite increasing evidence of the environmental impact and urgent need to protect marine areas. 

‘Deep-sea mining is an existential threat, a once-in-a-generation decision to either destroy or protect the life support system of the planet as a whole,’ said Sandrine Polti, Europe Regional Lead from the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. ‘There is large consensus among scientists that there is currently no way to avoid environmental harm if deep-sea mining were to go ahead. The time for decisive action to protect our planet is now and the momentum for a moratorium is at an all-time high.’

Conducted early July 2024 by Ipsos on behalf of WeMove Europe, Seas At Risk and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, the results of a new study show widespread opposition to the practices. In Belgium, Italy, and Poland, 56% of people said they did not want to see such operations begin, while 33% said they were in support providing steps were taken to limit damage. This supports a previous investigation by Greenpeace, which revealed 61% of people in the Netherlands stood against deep sea mining. 

The most recent survey involved 3,043 adults, and revealed ecological concerns were the biggest single factor driving opinion, although only 13% of respondents said they knew about the advantages and disadvantages. After a brief insight into pros and cons, 46% were against deep sea mining, 25% were in favour. Most of those against said this was due to the risk of causing serious irreversible damage to the sea bed and loss of life, including whales. 

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Image: Alexander Semenov