Nausicaá and l'Ifremer join forces to protect the deep seabed

Nausicaá has opted to highlight the deep seabed because it has already been impacted by pollution, deep-sea fishing and oil exploitation, and is now threatened by the exploitation of its mineral resources.

Deep-sea mining is shaping up as a new commercial activity. Its aim is to exploit mineral deposits found on the seabed to extract valuable resources for industry, such as manganese, copper, cobalt, zinc and rare earth elements.

The Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty (BBNJ) was adopted in 2023, but it represents a major challenge for the international community to ensure that it is effectively implemented. With deep-sea mining, there is a huge risk that these unique ecosystems will be irreversibly disrupted. This fragile environment plays an essential role in regulating the world’s climate.

Given that the future of the deep sea depends on the outcome of ongoing international negotiations and the efforts of civil society to put pressure on public decision-makers, Nausicaá is seeking to alert public opinion to the issues at stake and the risks involved in exploiting the deep seabed.

We must all join forces to protect the deep seabed!

At a time when the International Seabed Authority is once again meeting to work on drafting a mining code for the High Seas, it is our responsibility to rally together to preserve the environment and biodiversity of the deep seabed, which is essential to humanity.

We know less about the ocean floor than we do about the surface of the Moon: only a quarter of its surface has been mapped, and less than 5% has been thoroughly explored. Which just goes to show the sheer vastness of the uncharted territory that lies before us!

France has a major role to play here: it has the world’s second-largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ), covering more than 10 million km2, and it has the scientific and technical teams and tools to contribute to the international effort to explore the seabed and, more generally, the ocean, the collective heritage of mankind.

The abyss is a priceless treasure. Nausicaá is appealing to as many people as possible to join forces in preserving this fascinating world, from which we still have a great deal to learn and discover.

The Nausicaá and Ifremer partnership: a joint commitment towards learning about and protecting the abyss

This collaboration is part of Nausicaá’s and Ifremer’s shared determination to:

· Share scientific knowledge on how deep-sea ecosystems work and the role they can play in the workings of the oceans worldwide with the general public

· Encourage as many people as possible to discover and appreciate the beauty, diversity and fragility of the deep seabed

· Foster commitment to protecting these marine ecosystems by imparting knowledge

By drawing on the strengths and synergy of the two institutions, this ambitious project aims to reach out to a wide audience and make protecting the deep seabed a common cause.

With its mission to promote awareness of the sea and its expertise in creating educational exhibitions, Nausicaá is tasked with designing and managing the space devoted to the abyss. Ifremer, which this year is celebrating 40 years of exploration, research, discoveries and commitment to the ocean, is contributing its scientific and technical expertise by sharing its knowledge, images, data and state-of-the-art technologies.

Campaigns to protect the deep seabed:

In preparation for its participation in the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice in 2025, Nausicaá is launching this month the formation of a delegation of young people committed to the Ocean, who will work together to organise a series of events around the world. The final objective will be to deliver a plea to the heads of state from across the entire world gathered in Nice, urging them to make concrete commitments to protect the oceans.

Together, we are advocating scientific research over deep-sea mining. Scientific exploration will not only deepen our knowledge of the abyss and give us a better understanding and ability to protect this precious environment, it will also enable us to assess the potential risks of mining with greater precision.

About Ifremer:

From the abyss to the surface, from the coast to the high seas, Ifremer is the only French research institute entirely dedicated to the Ocean. Our scientists produce knowledge that is essential to combat climate change, marine pollution and the erosion of biodiversity, as well as to avert risks involving the sea. Their expertise sheds light on maritime public policies and underpins their implementation. Their results are sources of innovation that economic players transform into solutions to benefit both citizens and marine ecosystems. Not only are we producing data, we are also creating the vital wisdom needed to preserve the very system that makes life possible on Earth: the Ocean.