Stop The Global Theft Of Our Ocean’s Health And Future Now

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Sponsor: Free The Ocean

The U.S. fast-tracking deep-sea mining could destroy fragile marine ecosystems forever—this is our chance to fight back and protect the ocean before it’s too late. Sign the petition to stop this disaster.

Stop The Global Theft Of Our Ocean’s Health And Future Now

Our oceans are under threat. The deep sea, home to countless species and critical ecosystems, is being targeted by an industry that could destroy it forever. Deep-sea mining, which extracts valuable minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese, is gaining momentum, driven by global demand for these materials in products ranging from electric vehicle batteries to smartphones. But the environmental costs are staggering.

The ocean floor, where these minerals are found, is home to fragile ecosystems that have taken millions of years to form. If we allow this mining to proceed, we risk permanently damaging marine life and habitats that are essential to the health of our oceans and the entire planet.

The Impact of Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining involves using heavy machinery to scrape and collect mineral-rich nodules from the ocean floor, which can cause significant damage to the ecosystem. These minerals, which accumulate in the deep sea over millions of years, are home to unique and vulnerable species. Mining activities could destroy habitats, release harmful toxins, and create sediment plumes that smother marine organisms. Once these ecosystems are destroyed, they cannot be rebuilt.

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean, where vast deposits of these minerals are found, is particularly at risk. This area, located thousands of miles from shore, is home to unique species and critical habitats that are poorly understood. Many of these species rely on the nodules for food and shelter. Destroying these habitats would cause the loss of marine species that we have barely begun to study. What’s more, the deep ocean plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle, helping to regulate our planet’s temperature.

If these ecosystems are disrupted, the effects could ripple throughout the environment, impacting life on Earth in ways we cannot predict. Environmental groups are calling for an immediate halt to deep-sea mining, warning that the long-term environmental damage could be catastrophic1.

The Global Response to Deep-Sea Mining

While the U.S. government has moved forward with plans to exploit these resources, many countries and environmental organizations are calling for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining. International negotiations on deep-sea mining regulations have stalled, with the International Seabed Authority struggling to establish a clear framework for the industry2. 

We need urgent action to prevent the destruction of our oceans.

The United States, however, is moving forward with plans to issue permits for mining operations in international waters. This could set a dangerous precedent for other nations to follow, potentially opening the floodgates for large-scale deep-sea mining worldwide. This could lead to global competition for seabed minerals, intensifying geopolitical tensions and further escalating the environmental risk3.

Why We Must Act

The time to act is now. If deep-sea mining proceeds unchecked, we risk losing some of the most vital ecosystems on Earth. The deep ocean is not only home to a diverse array of life but plays a critical role in regulating the climate, absorbing carbon, and supporting food chains that millions of people rely on. We cannot afford to let short-term economic gains outweigh the long-term health of our oceans.

By signing the petition to ban deep-sea mining, you are joining a movement to protect the most vulnerable ecosystems on our planet. Your voice matters. Together, we can push for a ban on this destructive practice and ensure that our oceans remain healthy and resilient for generations to come.

Sign the Petition

We are calling on the EPA, NOAA, and the Department of the Interior to take immediate action to ban deep-sea mining. The future of our oceans depends on it. Add your name today to help protect marine life and ensure a sustainable future for all.

Sign the petition now!

More on this issue:

  1. Sam Meredith, CNBC (Apr 25, 2025), "Trump Signs Order to Boost Deep-Sea Mining, Seeking to Break China’s Critical Minerals Dominance."
  2. Jeff Watters, BBC (Apr 25, 2025), "Trump Deep Sea Mining Order Violates Law, China Says."
  3. Rachel Frazin, The Hill (Apr 24, 2025), "Trump Signs Order Seeking to Jump-Start Mining of the Ocean Floor."

The Petition

To the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and the Secretary of the Interior,

We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Department of the Interior to take decisive action in banning deep-sea bed mining activities. This practice, which involves extracting valuable minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese from the ocean floor, poses a significant threat to our fragile marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

The ocean, covering approximately 70% of our planet, plays an essential role in regulating the Earth's climate, absorbing carbon, and providing food and livelihoods to millions of people worldwide. Our oceans are home to unique and irreplaceable species, many of which are still undiscovered. The deep sea, in particular, is one of the least explored and most ecologically sensitive environments on Earth. Deep-sea bed mining threatens to disrupt these delicate ecosystems, causing irreversible damage to marine life and habitats that are critical to maintaining the health of our oceans and the planet.

The environmental consequences of deep-sea mining are alarming. The process of extracting minerals from the seabed generates sediment plumes that can smother marine organisms, destroy habitats, and release toxins into the water column. Furthermore, the destruction of polymetallic nodules, which are essential for certain marine species, could cause long-term damage to biodiversity. The deep sea's fragile ecosystems are not only irreplaceable, but their destruction could also disrupt vital processes that support life both in the ocean and on land.

It is crucial that we prioritize the conservation of our oceans and protect them from harmful activities such as deep-sea mining. As stewards of the environment, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the oceans remain healthy, vibrant, and capable of sustaining future generations. We believe that a ban on deep-sea bed mining is a necessary and urgent step in preserving our planet's marine ecosystems.

By banning deep-sea mining, we will not only safeguard marine life but also ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future for all. Healthy oceans are essential to combating climate change, providing food security, and supporting biodiversity. Protecting them today will help ensure that future generations can enjoy the full benefits of our oceans and the abundant life they support.

We urge you to take immediate action to ban deep-sea bed mining and to commit to protecting our oceans for the future of all living creatures.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,