Speeches & Testimony

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to introduce two critically important pieces of legislation aimed at protecting our oceans and marine ecosystems from the potentially catastrophic consequences of deep-sea mining: the American Seabed Protection Act and the International Seabed Protection Act.

These bills will place a moratorium on seabed mining until its full environmental, social and economic impacts are thoroughly studied and appropriate regulatory protections are in place.

Our deep oceans and seabeds are among the last unexplored frontiers of our planet. What we do know about these ecosystems is that they are fragile, diverse and essential to the health of our entire planet. Over half of all known coral species are found in the deep sea, and it is believed that as many as ten million marine species may inhabit this area, many of which are still undiscovered.

These ecosystems are not only rich in biodiversity but also serve vital functions, such as supporting carbon sequestration processes that help mitigate climate change. Additionally, some species residing in these depths have already provided invaluable benefits to humanity. For instance, enzymes from microbes found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents were crucial in developing reliable COVID-19 tests.

While deep-sea discoveries have already made significant contributions to humanity, there is still much scientific research to be done and countless discoveries yet to be made. One of the most exciting areas of research lies in the study of dark oxygen, a unique form of oxygen recently found in certain deep-sea environments. Unlike the oxygen we typically encounter, dark oxygen exists in a chemically distinct state, revealing that oxygen dynamics in the deep ocean are far more complex than previously understood. This discovery could have profound implications not only for marine life but also for biogeochemical processes in the ocean, helping us better understand how deep-sea ecosystems function and how they may respond to environmental changes, including those caused by human activities like seabed mining. The mysteries of the deep ocean, including dark oxygen, continue to unfold, offering new insights that could reshape our understanding of marine ecosystems and the vital role they play in our planet's health.

Unfortunately, these ecosystems are now under increasing threat. The imminent expansion of large-scale commercial seabed mining poses a direct threat to these ecosystems, with potentially irreversible consequences for marine biodiversity, climate processes and communities that depend on ocean resources.

The methods used in seabed mining, including shear-mining techniques that strip away seamounts on the ocean floor, can be highly destructive. In fact, these practices bear many similarities to terrestrial strip mining and can result in the loss of species, the creation of toxic sediment plumes and contamination of marine food chains. Additionally, mining can disrupt the natural processes that help sequester carbon, thus accelerating climate change rather than alleviating it.

Given that the environmental risks of deep-sea mining are largely unknown, and the science surrounding its impacts is still in its infancy, it is critical that we pause and take the time to assess these consequences properly. That is why the American Seabed Protection Act would place a moratorium on all deep-sea mining activities in U.S. waters, as well as any mining activities conducted by American companies on the high seas. This legislation also directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Academies of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive environmental and social impact study to evaluate the risks of seabed mining on ocean species, carbon storage and coastal communities.

At the international level, the International Seabed Protection Act would require the United States to oppose any international seabed mining efforts until the President certifies that the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has established a comprehensive and effective regulatory framework to safeguard these vital ecosystems. The ISA is currently under pressure to finalize mining regulations, but this process is complicated by ongoing scientific uncertainty and environmental concerns. As such, the U.S. must take a leadership role in ensuring that these regulations are not rushed and that the long-term health of our oceans is prioritized.

The reintroduction of these bills comes at a critical juncture as the ISA prepares to consider regulations that could open vast ocean areas to industrial mining. While proponents of seabed mining argue that it will provide essential minerals for renewable energy technologies, that is an assumption that should not go unchallenged, nor, contrary to some of their arguments, have we maximized the sourcing of critical minerals elsewhere. In either event, we should not and cannot simply fling ourselves headlong into a practice that, wholly unknown and improperly regulated, would certainly cause irreversible damage to our oceans and the communities that rely on them, damage that would far outweigh any arguable short-term benefit. 

I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring these bills and defending our marine environment.