The publishing of this body of work—eight reports now publicly available—is a major milestone in scientific efforts to mitigate any potential risks associated with deep-sea ecosystems should ocean mining exploitation activities be approved by the International Seabed Authority.
The research was commissioned by The Metals Company Australia Pty Ltd (TMC) and focuses on the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean.
CSIRO’s role has been to provide independent, science-based evidence to inform decision-making amid uncertainty and differing world views.
This is the first time that ecosystem-based management (EBM) principles have been applied so comprehensively to the deep sea and the prospects of commercial marine mining. The consortium, comprising CSIRO, Griffith University, Museums Victoria, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and GNS Science), used an EBM framework to evaluate any potential environmental impacts and help outline the most appropriate management strategies.
The research was designed as a modular, integrated system of related studies and set out several key outcomes, which include:
- A clear definition of ‘serious harm’ using an intuitive traffic light system to help regulators assess necessary interventions to mining operations—green for minor impacts, orange for moderate, and red for major damage.
- A comprehensive ecosystem model of the CCZ to determine which predicts that mining impacts are likely to be localized to the seabed.
- A list of environmental indicators to monitor changes in biodiversity and ecosystem health.
- A risk-based management process that assumes full ecosystem loss unless proven otherwise, ensuring a precautionary approach to mining.
- A quantitative risk assessment of the impacts of seabed mining operations and the impacts of toxic metals in pelagic ecosystems.
Each of the eight reports is accompanied by detailed methodology and recommendations. CSIRO has been clear in stating that it does not advocate for deep-sea mining, nor does it participate in regulatory processes. Rather, CSIRO’s role is to provide scientifically robust information to assist regulators.
All reports and findings are publicly available.