Deep sea mining could be doing irreparable damage to blue whales and other rare marine creatures, scientists have warned.
A peer-reviewed paper published by the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories focuses on the overlap between cetaceans (such as whales, dolphins and porpoises) and target sites for deep sea mining, especially in the Pacific Ocean. The authors warn that urgent research is needed to assess threats to these mammals.
The research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, finds that noise pollution in particular could cause damage to the sensitive, intelligent animals.
Scientists said the disturbance would be constant for the marine mammals, similar to noisy construction work in a human neighbourhood that was impossible to escape from.
“Imagine if your neighbourhood was suddenly disrupted by construction work that goes on 24/7, your life would change dramatically. Your mental health would be compromised, you might change your behaviour to escape from it. It’s no different for whales or dolphins,” said Dr Kirsten Thompson, of the University of Exeter. The research concludes that the constant disturbance could cause ill health.
Until now, assessments of impacts from mining have focused on seabed species, as this is the direct area mined. However, scientists say the impact on cetaceans and other large animals that may face harm from sound pollution needs to be urgently assessed before permission for commercial mining is given.
Dolphins and sperm whales are among the 25 cetacean species found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) between Mexico and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean, according to the paper. However, mining companies are interested in extracting metals and minerals from the seafloor in this area, which is believed to be rich in valuable materials. So far 17 exploratory deep sea mining contracts have been granted in this part of the Pacific Ocean.
Though deep sea mining companies have not yet received permission to start mining commercially, they are asking governments for the green light for the first time this July. Campaigners and scientists warn that if they are allowed to, machines could work 24-hours a day, producing sounds at varying depths that could overlap with the frequencies cetaceans use to communicate.
Metals for industry including copper, cobalt, nickel and manganese are in the sea bed, and there are also thought to be rare earth elements such as yttrium, as well as substantial veins of gold, silver and platinum.
Louisa Casson, a Greenpeace campaigner, said: “Deep sea mining companies are determined to start plundering the oceans, despite little research about the impacts this industry would have on whales, dolphins and other species.
“Deep sea mining could damage the oceans in ways we do not fully understand – and at the expense of species like blue whales that have been a focus of conservation efforts for many years. Governments cannot uphold their commitments to protect the oceans if they allow deep sea mining to start.”
