Mexico, it's time to say NO to Deep-Sea Mining! Let's protect the international seabed!
Mexico, it's time to say NO to Deep-Sea Mining! Let's protect the international seabed!
The Issue
The seabed is in danger, the Mexican government must protect it this July at the meeting that will define the future of the ocean.
The seabed is one of the least known ecosystems and unfortunately it is in great danger. It’s considered one of the largest carbon sinks which provides great benefits to life on earth. The health of these ecosystems provide us with endless benefits such as: climate regulation, it contributes to the absorption of large amounts of CO2 and allows life to exist on earth as we know it.
Unfortunately the ocean urgently needs us.
The Clipperton-Clarion region is of great interest for deep-sea mining due to the abundance of minerals in the seabed. However, the ecological value of this area, which can continue to be profitable thanks to industries such as fishing, conservation and tourism, is overlooked. It is important to highlight that this area is protected both nationally and internationally.
Despite the fact that Mexican laws prohibit any extractive activity in this area, research into marine resources continues with the aim of possible exploitation in the near future.
Some of the minerals present in the seabed include oil, natural gas, gas hydrates, manganese nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, massive sulfides (rich in zinc, silver, gold or copper), phosphorites, aggregates (sand and gravel) and placers (rich in titanium, rare earths, tin, gold, and diamonds). These materials are mainly used in the manufacture of electronic equipment such as batteries, smartphones, computers, and electric cars, among others.
In different areas of the Pacific Ocean, exploration activity has been proposed and it could affect places such as the Revillagigedo National Park , which has been listed since 2017 as the largest Marine Protected Area in North America, also known as a Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar site and UNESCO World Natural Heritage.
Next July, the future of these deep ecosystems will be defined. In this month representatives of countries from all over the world will meet in the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) with the purpose to vote for or against the start of this activity. The ISA aims to control, organize and regulate the access, exploration and exploitation of mineral resources of the oceanic bed, under the mandate of protecting the marine environment.
Several countries in the region, including Panama, Ecuador, Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica, have expressed their opposition to this activity. However, Mexico, as a member of the ISA, has NOT taken a clear position for or against this activity, which is a matter of concern in this petition. It is important that the Mexican government define and announce a definitive position on the matter.
It is very important that Mexico take leadership and start working with Latin American countries to prevent this practice, since they will be carried out in remote and poorly regulated areas, which represents a risk for the ocean, the Mexican marine territory, generations present and future, as well as terrestrial and marine life.
Mexico, raise your voice and add your signature to the petition! Say NO to deep-sea mining!
With your signature, we will be able to request that the Mexican government send a delegation from the Ministry of the Environment (SEMARNAT) to the next ISA assembly to be held this coming July and to join the global position against this activity, promoting a moratorium.
We ask you to help us by sharing and signing this petition to end deep-sea mining and protect our ocean.
#DefendtheDeep #ElOceánoNoSeMina
The Issue
The seabed is in danger, the Mexican government must protect it this July at the meeting that will define the future of the ocean.
The seabed is one of the least known ecosystems and unfortunately it is in great danger. It’s considered one of the largest carbon sinks which provides great benefits to life on earth. The health of these ecosystems provide us with endless benefits such as: climate regulation, it contributes to the absorption of large amounts of CO2 and allows life to exist on earth as we know it.
Unfortunately the ocean urgently needs us.
The Clipperton-Clarion region is of great interest for deep-sea mining due to the abundance of minerals in the seabed. However, the ecological value of this area, which can continue to be profitable thanks to industries such as fishing, conservation and tourism, is overlooked. It is important to highlight that this area is protected both nationally and internationally.
Despite the fact that Mexican laws prohibit any extractive activity in this area, research into marine resources continues with the aim of possible exploitation in the near future.
Some of the minerals present in the seabed include oil, natural gas, gas hydrates, manganese nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, massive sulfides (rich in zinc, silver, gold or copper), phosphorites, aggregates (sand and gravel) and placers (rich in titanium, rare earths, tin, gold, and diamonds). These materials are mainly used in the manufacture of electronic equipment such as batteries, smartphones, computers, and electric cars, among others.
In different areas of the Pacific Ocean, exploration activity has been proposed and it could affect places such as the Revillagigedo National Park , which has been listed since 2017 as the largest Marine Protected Area in North America, also known as a Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar site and UNESCO World Natural Heritage.
Next July, the future of these deep ecosystems will be defined. In this month representatives of countries from all over the world will meet in the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) with the purpose to vote for or against the start of this activity. The ISA aims to control, organize and regulate the access, exploration and exploitation of mineral resources of the oceanic bed, under the mandate of protecting the marine environment.
Several countries in the region, including Panama, Ecuador, Chile, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica, have expressed their opposition to this activity. However, Mexico, as a member of the ISA, has NOT taken a clear position for or against this activity, which is a matter of concern in this petition. It is important that the Mexican government define and announce a definitive position on the matter.
It is very important that Mexico take leadership and start working with Latin American countries to prevent this practice, since they will be carried out in remote and poorly regulated areas, which represents a risk for the ocean, the Mexican marine territory, generations present and future, as well as terrestrial and marine life.
Mexico, raise your voice and add your signature to the petition! Say NO to deep-sea mining!
With your signature, we will be able to request that the Mexican government send a delegation from the Ministry of the Environment (SEMARNAT) to the next ISA assembly to be held this coming July and to join the global position against this activity, promoting a moratorium.
We ask you to help us by sharing and signing this petition to end deep-sea mining and protect our ocean.
#DefendtheDeep #ElOceánoNoSeMina
Victory
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Petition created on June 21, 2023