The deep sea is a vibrant and essential ecosystem, critical for biodiversity and a healthy climate. It’s home to unique creatures and plays a vital role in carbon storage.

Unfortunately, companies like The Metals Company (TMC) are pushing forward with aggressive and controversial plans to begin deep-sea mining, creating a modern-day "gold rush." To expedite deep-sea mining and seek permits in the U.S., TMC even lobbied the Trump administration to consolidate the application processes for exploration and commercial recovery.

Right now, TMC's plan to fast-track both exploration and mining is facing a lot of pushback and probably would not succeed. However, the company is still applying for permits in accordance with current regulations, and they would use approved exploration areas to conduct environmental impact studies, aiming to convince the public that the mining impact on the ocean will be minimal. Consequently, they can expand their operation areas in the future. Once deep-sea mining gets the green light, it will be devastating to marine ecosystem.

Allowing deep-sea mining to move forward would have devastating and irreversible consequences for marine life, including habitat destruction, smothering marine life with sediment plumes, disrupting animal behavior with noise pollution, significant loss of biodiversity, and even worsening climate change by disrupting carbon storage.

We demand:

1. Stop deep-sea mining immediately.
2. NOAA should stop consolidating the application processes for exploration and mining. Combining makes it far too easy for companies to gain approval.
3. NOAA should thoroughly review TMC’s permit applications, without any special treatment.

You can help make a difference! Please review the TMC application documents NOAA has published and submit your comments. Here's where to get the relevant information:

• View TMC USA Application A:  https://www.regulations.gov/​docket/​NOAA-NOS-2025-0702 
• View TMC USA Application B:  https://www.regulations.gov/​docket/​NOAA-NOS-2025-1330
• Submit Public Comments: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/23/2025-23795/deep-seabed-mining-notice-of-receipt-of-applications-for-deep-seabed-mining-exploration-licenses-and#addresses or contact Kerry Kehoe, (240) 560-8518, kerry.kehoe@noaa.gov.

We can't sacrifice the long-term health of our oceans for short-term economic gain.

Sign this petition and take action today to stop the destructive rush to deep-sea mine.