The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is convening an online workshop under the Human Activities, Pressures and Impacts Steering Group (HAPISG) to examine the environmental implications of deep-sea mining (DSM).
Deep-sea mining is emerging as a potential large-scale industrial activity, with possible impacts on seabed ecosystems and the wider water column. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding ecosystem degradation, contaminant pathways, species loss and long-term biodiversity impacts.
The workshop will focus specifically on contaminant-related pressures associated with DSM and aims to generate an ICES Viewpoint addressing:
• The nature of DSM activities and their likely contaminant-related impacts.
• The development of contaminant thresholds and biological effects tests for monitoring.
• Key uncertainties that monitoring programmes must address to safeguard deep-sea environments.
Participation is open to those interested in contributing to scientific dialogue on environmental monitoring and policy-relevant research concerning deep-sea ecosystems. Registration is available via the ICES website.
