JRFE urges African states to back moratorium on deep-sea mining

By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY

The Journalists for Responsible Fisheries and Environment (JRFE) has appealed to African governments to support the global call for a ban, moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining (DSM) as world leaders meet at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica.

At a press briefing, Charles Smith, Development Communications Specialist and Co-Founder of JRFE, warned that DSM poses significant threats to fragile marine ecosystems, fisheries and the livelihoods of coastal communities across Africa.

“The implications of deep-sea mining go beyond environmental risks to issues of economic justice, cultural heritage and sovereignty over shared global resources,” he said.

He noted that the deep ocean floor is recognised under Article 136 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the “Common Heritage of Mankind”.

“However, JRFE expressed concern that Africa has been largely absent from ongoing global discussions despite being among the most vulnerable,” Mr. Smith said.

He pointed out that a 2020 ISA-commissioned study revealed that eight of the 13 countries likely to be hardest hit by DSM’s economic impacts are in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Gabon, Mauritania, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Currently, he said 37 countries have called for a moratorium on DSM, but none are from Africa.

“JRFE warned that allowing foreign companies to exploit seabed resources without proper safeguards could lead to another ‘resource curse’ on the continent,” he said.

“Fisheries remain a critical economic pillar for African nations, yet DSM threatens to disrupt ocean ecosystems, fish stocks and food security. The science is clear – we do not have enough knowledge to regulate DSM safely. The regulations cannot precede science,” the he emphasised.

He also criticised the argument that DSM is necessary for green technologies, noting that battery innovation is moving away from minerals targeted by seabed mining. It further raised concerns about the potential militarisation of seabed resources, which would violate UNCLOS provisions restricting their use to peaceful purposes.

“JRFE urged the African Union and member-states to align with the AU’s Blue Economy strategy and demand a moratorium to safeguard shared ocean resources for future generations,” he concluded.