Scientists caution against rush to mine the seabed, and say it could be decades before the full impact on marine life is known
Animal populations appear to decrease where the deep sea is being mined, and the impact on marine life of the controversial industry may involve a wider “footprint” than previously expected.
According to analysis of seabed ecology undertaken after drilling tests in 2020 in Japan – the country’s first successful extraction of cobalt crusts from deep-sea mountains – there was a decrease in marine life such as fish and shrimp at the site a year later. The density had dropped even further in areas outside the impact zone, by more than half.
About Author
More Stories
NBN’s $3bn fibre revamp is great news but don’t Australians now care more about price than higher speeds?
Driver in Perth crash that killed four was speeding on wrong side of highway
Cyclone Dikeledi kills three in Madagascar and Mayotte is hit again