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How humans are exploiting the oceans | DW Documentary

DW Documentary・47 minutes read

An expedition uses the Patania device to explore deep sea mining for essential minerals, facing opposition from environmental organizations due to potential harm to marine ecosystems. Despite the need for metal resources, concerns over environmental impact and sustainability remain at the forefront of deep sea mining discussions.

Insights

  • Deep-sea mining is a contentious issue, with environmental organizations like Greenpeace opposing it due to potential harm to delicate ecosystems, while mining companies like GSR and the ISA aim to develop sustainable practices and regulations for responsible resource collection.
  • The expedition to test deep-sea mining impacts, the involvement of organizations like Greenpeace and the ISA, and the advocacy efforts of individuals like Alexandra Cousteau underscore the complex balance between resource exploitation, environmental protection, and sustainable practices needed to ensure the health of our oceans in the face of increasing threats like overfishing and climate change.

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Recent questions

  • What are the potential risks of deep-sea mining?

    Environmental harm to delicate ecosystems and habitats.

  • What is the role of the United Nations in ocean conservation?

    Declared an Ocean Decade to focus on protection.

  • Who regulates deep-sea mining activities?

    The International Seabed Authority (ISA).

  • How do conservationists protect sea turtles?

    By safeguarding nesting sites and raising awareness.

  • Why is sustainable fishing important for ocean preservation?

    To restore ocean habitats and prevent overfishing.

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Summary

00:00

Deep sea mining impacts and solutions

  • An ambitious expedition is exploring the deep sea for untapped mineral deposits, using a prototype deep sea collector named Patania.
  • The collector contains manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper, essential for building batteries and conducting electricity.
  • Environmental protection organizations like Greenpeace oppose deep sea mining due to potential harm to delicate underwater ecosystems.
  • Oceans cover 71% of Earth's surface, playing a crucial role in regulating climate, providing food, and absorbing CO2 emissions.
  • Exploitation of oceans through activities like fishing, waste dumping, and sand dredging is causing harm to marine life and habitats.
  • The United Nations declared an Ocean Decade to focus on protecting and developing sustainable oceans.
  • A special ship, the Island Pride, embarked on a mission to test a 35-ton underwater harvesting machine for manganese nodules.
  • The expedition aims to analyze the environmental impact of deep sea mining and develop standards for responsible resource collection.
  • The Canadian Mining Company promotes sustainable energy solutions using metals like cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese.
  • Illegal sand mining from beaches and seabeds is causing environmental degradation, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline worldwide.

23:32

Deep-sea mining tests spark environmental concerns.

  • GSR holds the license for the area where the tests are taking place.
  • Suash Ali from GSR is responsible for communication between the vessel and scientists.
  • The meeting occurs on the high seas on the Normand Energy loading platform.
  • The Patania device is being prepared for its first dive to collect seabed nodules.
  • Patania 2 is a seafloor nodule collector designed like a vacuum cleaner.
  • The device must manage extreme pressure and maneuver independently.
  • Jacques Cousteau's granddaughter, Alexandra Cousteau, advocates for ocean preservation.
  • Anna Vega in Cape Verde leads a conservation organization protecting sea turtles.
  • Lantuna organization involves locals in nature conservation through art and awareness.
  • Greenpeace protests against deep-sea mining, emphasizing environmental risks.

49:12

Regulating Deep-Sea Mining for Sustainability and Conservation

  • The International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Jamaica, founded by the United Nations in 1994, is responsible for regulating deep-sea mining.
  • ISA contractors, a mix of private and state entities, aim for sustainable exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources.
  • ISA operates based on scientific advice and consensus among its 167 member states, including Germany.
  • Guidelines known as the mining code have been developed by ISA for deep-sea mining.
  • Deep-sea mining regulations are being established before the industry begins, a unique approach.
  • The Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Caribbean Sea holds vast manganese nodules, with potential environmental impact from mining.
  • Researchers study the impact of sediment disturbance on manganese nodules and deep-sea fauna.
  • Manganese nodules, millions of years old, contain metal oxides and trace metals.
  • Scientists analyze deep-sea samples for microbial communities and environmental impact.
  • Conservationists in Cape Verde protect sea turtle nests, ensuring the survival of the species amidst habitat loss.

01:14:39

Maya fishermen adapt to sustainable fishing practices.

  • The Maya have shifted to catching fish that are still relatively plentiful due to dwindling stocks in the western Baltic, using a beeping device to ward off porpoises while fishing sustainably.
  • They struggle with EU regulations that require them to take all caught fish, even small ones, equating trawler fishing with gill net fishing, leading to a criminal reputation for the profession.
  • The Maya focus on sustainable fishing and selling close to consumers, adapting their selling times and using larger mesh sizes to avoid netting smaller fish.
  • Overfishing and unbridled exploitation threaten the oceans, with Alexandra Cousteau advocating for marine protection and sustainable fishing practices to restore ocean habitats.
  • The energy transition and climate change must be addressed, with commercial deep-sea mining seen as necessary for metal resources, despite the risks to deep-sea ecosystems and the potential destruction of vast seabed areas.
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