Thread by @LouisaCasson

It’s been a big week (the biggest?) in the world of deep sea mining - in a good way!

I've just arrived at the International Seabed Authority negotiations as they head into their 2nd week - here’s what going on… 1/ #ISA28

Last Sunday a legal loophole expired, meaning any company can apply to mine the seabed - even though no rules are in place governing deep sea mining

Til now 31 exploration permits have been approved by the International Seabed Authority - but no full-scale mining licences 2/

This is a huge moment of jeopardy for our oceans. Deep sea mining risks irreversible, unavoidable harm to the oceans.

Studies this week showed widespread harm to ocean life beyond the areas directly mined in just a 7-day mining test 3/ theguardian.com/environment/20…

HOWEVER. It’s starting to look like triggering this controversial loophole is backfiring for deep sea miners.

Over 20 governments are now calling for a moratorium or pause on deep sea mining - with big hitters Brazil & Canada joining in the last week 4/ #ISA28

In fact, as this commercial deadline approached & passed, a whopping seven nations (Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Finland, Portugal, Brazil, Canada) joined the coalition of Pacific, Latin American & European states seeking to put the brakes on this risky industry 5/

The reasons to stop deep sea mining just keep growing. A new study showed rising temperatures will push tuna into the target area for deep sea mining - threatening a $5.5bn industry with pollution 6/bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Seafood giants are calling on governments to stop a rush into mining the oceans

Which governments are going to go against this unusual alliance of fisheries& green groups in favour of an industry that financial analysts are warning “won’t make money”? 7/washingtonpost.com/business/energ…

More & more governments are siding with protection. The govts pushing deep sea mining are increasingly isolated - and are facing mounting scrutiny from parliamentarians. But some are digging in - see Norway’s terrible idea to mine the ARCTIC seabed🤯 8/ ft.com/content/32598c…

Meanwhile the frontrunner company claim they would prefer to apply to mine with regulations in place - but insist on their “legal right” to apply to mine and are cockily predicting a “0.1 of one per cent” chance this won’t be approved by governments 9/ cbc.ca/news/business/…

Their plummeting share price is a reminder this is a political choice - with huge ramifications.

In a climate & nature crisis, will governments show the bold leadership of putting our last wilderness off-limits to destruction- and stand for a truly ecological transition? #ISA28