CONTENTS 3
Executive summary
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Introduction
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State of play - Greenpeace Unearthed analysis reveals the key governments and companies pursuing deep sea mining
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The environmental risks of deep sea mining - Direct impacts: inevitable and irreversible harm - Seafloor massive sulphides around hydrothermal vents - Case study: the Lost City - Polymetallic nodules on abyssal plains - Cobalt-rich crusts on seamounts - Broader ocean impacts - Unknowns of the deep sea make responsible risk mitigation impossible - Why does this matter for humans?
17
Industry attempts to own the future
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Lack of adequate protection from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) - Gaps in governance - Patchy protection - Overriding protection in practice - Designed to mine - Lack of oversight - A vested interest in ocean exploitation
25
Conclusion and recommendations The need for a strong Global Ocean Treaty
26
References
Contents
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