Abstract
As negotiations on deep-sea mining exploitation regulations continue at the International Seabed Authority, robust scientific evidence remains crucial for informed decision-making. This side event will present the new phase of the JPI Oceans project MiningImpact, which will investigate both polymetallic nodule fields and massive sulphide deposits to address critical knowledge gaps about deep-sea ecosystem responses to impacts caused by mining of seabed mineral resources.
Building on insights from the previous two research phases, the project's comprehensive research agenda includes studies of species connectivity, mining-induced toxicity effects, mid-water pelagic ecosystems as well as associated governance and environmental management questions. The project aims to directly inform the policy discussions for the Mining Code, particularly with respect to the protection and preservation of the marine environment. Through planned revisits of previous test mining sites in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) and new investigations of seafloor massive sulphide deposits in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, MiningImpact will generate essential knowledge to support evidence-based decision-making in deep-sea environmental management.
Programme
Welcome and Introduction, Supporting International Scientific Cooperation: A Sponsoring State’s Perspective, Representative Belgium or Germany (tbc)
Insights from the International Seabed Authority, Leticia Carvalho, Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority (ISA) (tbc)
MiningImpact: Advancing Scientific Understanding for Evidence-Based Regulation Dr. Matthias Haeckel, GEOMAR, Project Coordinator
Overview of research objectives for 3rd project phase
Key scientific results on environmental impacts from PMN mining and recommendations for the Mining Code
MiningImpact: Ecosystems at seafloor massive sulphide deposits Dr. Sabine Gollner, NIOZ
Overview on ecosystems associated to active and inactive hydrothermal vents and expected impacts from SMS mining
Knowledge gaps and research goals of MiningImpact
MiningImpact: Societal and ethical concerns about deep-sea mining Prof. Ellen Pape, Ghent University (10 minutes)
Overview of the perspectives of the Belgian stakeholder Roundtable discussions
Integration of stakeholder inputs into scientific research – plans of MiningImpact
Q&A session (15 minutes)
Closing Remarks, Representative Belgium or Germany (tbc)