Multi-scale knowledge and knowledge gaps in deep-sea mining regional environmental management planning

Abstract

As deep seabed mineral mining interest advances in the Area beyond national jurisdiction, many questions remain about how to manage the ecosystem impacts of future exploitation. While the deep ocean remains largely unexplored and uncharacterized, the International Seabed Authority’s Regional Environmental Management Planning (REMP) process is already underway, charged to implement the precautionary approach mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This analysis examines REMP efforts for the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge and North West Pacific Ocean, underway now, to review how unique mineral provinces, presence of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and data clarity or paucity have influenced the suggestion of a suite of management approaches across the seabed. This project develops a data hierarchy to illustrate the precision of knowledge guiding current REMP planning and provides recommendations for future REMPs in other data-poor ocean regions.