- Press Release
Threatened whale species found in areas targeted by The Metals Company for deep sea mining, scientists warn
Exeter, UK – 24.06.2025 – A scientific survey of two areas targeted for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean by The Metals Company has confirmed the presence of whales and dolphins, including sperm whales which are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The news comes as world governments are about to attend a meeting of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) next month, with 37 governments already voicing their opposition to deep sea mining. The ISA is the intergovernmental body charged with regulating deep sea mining in international waters. It has a mandate to protect the oceans from harmful effects.
The survey is published today in the scientific journal, Frontiers in Marine Science. It was conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories from Greenpeace International’s ship, Arctic Sunrise. It studied two exploration blocks held by The Metals Company in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone (known as NORI-d and TOML-e).
Dr Kirsten Young of the University of Exeter and lead author of the study said:
“We already knew that the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is home to at least 20 species of cetaceans, but we’ve now demonstrated their presence in two areas specifically earmarked for deep sea mining by The Metals Company.”
Following President Trump’s approval of a deep sea mining Executive Order in April, The Metals Company applied to the US government to give TMC unilateral permission to commercially mine the international seabed in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. According to reports, this application covers the NORI-d area. This bypasses and undermines the International Seabed Authority, the UN regulator for deep sea mining and has been met with strong criticism from governments around the world. Scientists have previously warned of “long lasting, irreversible” impacts of deep sea mining on the region.
Cetaceans are known to be impacted by noise pollution caused by humans, and could be impacted by the significant noise expected to be created by deep sea mining operations. These operations would also generate sediment plumes, which could impact cetacean populations by disrupting deep ocean food systems.
Dr Kirsten Young continued:
“While more research is needed to build a complete picture of the impact of the noise and sediment plumes on cetaceans, it’s clear that deep sea mining operations will negatively impact ocean ecosystems in areas far out to sea where monitoring is particularly challenging.”
The survey provides a 13-day snapshot of cetacean activity in these two deep sea mining exploration areas. Using hydrophones, the research team confirmed 74 acoustic detections of cetaceans. This included a sperm whale, Risso’s dolphins and common dolphins.
Louisa Casson of Greenpeace International said:
“The Metals Company’s plans to mine the seabed in the Pacific are not only a slap in the face for multilateralism and international law, science confirms they would expose some of our most iconic, charismatic and beautiful marine life to noise and other forms of pollution if allowed to go ahead.
“The confirmed presence of cetaceans, including threatened sperm whales, in areas that The Metals Company is targeting for deep sea mining is yet another clear warning that this dangerous industry must never be allowed to begin commercial operations.
“If these species are present in TMC licence areas, it’s highly likely they’re across others too, like those sponsored through UK Seabed Resources by the UK Government. We already know from documents obtained via freedom of information requests that minke whales have been observed in UKSR1.
“This is no time for the UK and other governments to continue futile discussions about a set of rules to allow deep sea mining to start. The only sensible course of action at next month’s International Seabed Authority meeting would be to prioritise agreeing on a global moratorium.”
This study in the Pacific is mirrored by another recent piece of Greenpeace research in the Arctic. Researchers found cetaceans, including deep-diving and noise-sensitive sperm whales and northern bottlenose whales, in an area targeted for future mining. If the Norwegian government proceeds with deep sea mining in the area, noise and pollution pose severe consequences. Greenpeace researchers are in the Arctic right now further documenting the presence of cetaceans in the area to expose the risks of deep sea mining and to champion the protection of the Arctic’s vulnerable marine life.
Calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining grew at the recent UN Ocean Conference, with four new countries joining the group supporting a moratorium, bringing the total to 37. The UN Secretary General also issued a strong call to stop this dangerous industry. Momentum against deep sea mining will now be carried forward to the July ISA meeting.
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Download whale and deep sea mining images here
The survey was published today in the Frontiers in Marine Science peer reviewed journal. A full copy of the paper is available on request.
Contacts:
Greenpeace International Press Desk: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)