After three weeks of intense negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meetings in Jamaica, member states failed to greenlight deep-sea mining or adopt any regulations on the matter. A proposal to discuss marine environment protection and the future of deep-sea mining was initially blocked by a few states but eventually made it onto the agenda for the next Assembly in 2024. The meetings saw a growing opposition to deep-sea mining from various sectors, including governments, businesses, and civil society, advocating for a more precautionary approach to preserve marine ecosystems.

Jessica Battle, Lead for WWF’s No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative, emphasized that the compromise reached allows for a more comprehensive discussion involving all ISA member states on marine environment protection. A total of 21 countries and multiple organizations, including companies representing 32% of the global tuna industry and financial institutions managing over €3.3 trillion in assets, have called for a ban or moratorium on deep-sea mining. The UN Commissioner on Human Rights also advised against it, citing potential risks that are not yet fully understood.

The ocean is already under severe stress from overfishing, pollution, and climate change, and deep-sea mining would exacerbate these pressures. Battle argues that a functioning ocean ecosystem is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change, and a moratorium on deep-sea mining is essential until science can guarantee the effective protection of the marine environment. Despite the lack of a clear decision, a "two-year loophole" remains open, leaving the door ajar for unregulated deep-sea mining, the full impact of which is still largely unknown.

Reports commissioned by WWF and the European Academies Science Advisory Council suggest that deep-sea mining is not necessary for the green transition. These reports argue that the demand for the minerals targeted by deep-sea mining can be reduced by 58% through technological choices, recycling, and circular economy measures. Kaja Lønne Fjærtoft, Policy Lead for WWF’s No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative, stressed the need to focus on a circular economy to address both biodiversity and climate crises simultaneously.