 We did it! The High Seas Treaty (formally known as the Treaty for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), has reached 60 ratifications – the threshold requirement for it to become law! This means the High Seas Treaty will enter into force on January 17th, 2026.
Whilst I will be celebrating this milestone moment, I can’t hide my disappointment that my own country, The Netherlands, a founding father of ocean law, is not among the first 60 nations to ratify this historical treaty. For those who may be wondering what the significance of this treaty is. Most of our ocean, 64% in fact, which translates to about half of our planet, lies beyond national jurisdiction, meaning that they don’t belong to any one nation. Life that exists in this vast part of our world is largely unprotected as this area doesn’t fall under any national laws. This is the first ever international treaty to address this gaping hole in ocean governance by laying out rules for the protection and sustainable use of wildlife in these areas. This includes providing the legal framework for the creation of marine protected areas on the High Seas. This treaty has been decades in the making. From conception, to drafting and negotiations, to adoption, ratification and now entry into force. Huge respect and thanks to everyone around the world who helped make this happen! The work of protecting the High Seas, our global commons, can finally begin!
We would like to share a proud milestone with our supporters. The Ocean and Us was granted official observer status at the Assembly of the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority. This means we can now be a voice at the ISA on matters related to the seabed and our shared heritage on behalf of concerned citizens, and all life in the ocean! On July 24, our Founder, Farah Obaidullah delivered the first intervention behalf of The Ocean and Us to the Assembly.  Here's the full statement: Thank you, Mr. President, Madam Secretary General, and distinguished delegates, for granting observer status to The Ocean and Us. Thank you to the government of Jamaica for your kind hospitality. The Ocean and Us champions ocean health for the survival of all living beings. Like many here and around the world, The Ocean and Us is deeply concerned about the rush by some to open the High Seas – our shared heritage – to deep-sea mining. Our world is literally on fire. The climate crisis, nature collapse, escalating tensions and failed leadership are destroying the natural systems that make life as we know it possible. Yet some in this body continue to consider the introduction of a new, destructive industry to our ailing world, simply because this was part of the mandate entrusted to this organ more than 30 years ago. Deep-sea mining is ecocide. We know that deep-sea mining will compound the multiple crises we face today. Science tells us that the damage caused by deep-sea mining will be irreversible on human timescales. That deep-sea mining will wipe out species before they have been discovered, and that the consequences of deep-sea mining to ocean functions including carbon sequestration are not fully understood. How can we be sleepwalking toward our own demise? It seems our instruments are no longer agile enough to meet the urgency of the moment. UNCLOS and the ISA were created at a time when neither the climate nor biodiversity crisis were urgent global concerns, when little regard was given to our diverse cultural heritage, our feminine perspectives and indigenous wisdom, when inadequate consideration was given to the collective, the innate, the future and the undiscovered value of the ocean, when we did not and still don’t consider to the sentience or potential intelligence of life in the ocean, including the deep sea. When UNCLOS was negotiated, the concept of wellbeing was different. Emerging from war and famine, security meant sovereignty, growth and material acquisition. Today security means protecting nature for survival, prosperity and wellbeing. With our shared heritage - The High Seas and the intricately connected seabed that belongs to us all, we have a chance to do things differently, to break away from the extractive mindset of centuries gone by. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. We must allow the ISA to evolve and change with the times, to become a true steward of the deep sea. The Ocean and Us welcomes the new leadership of the ISA, offering a promise for more inclusive participation of our diverse perspectives as well as decision making rooted in science. Destroying our shared heritage cannot be how we write history. Instead of colonising the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, let us celebrate our global commons as a sanctuary for peace, science, and collaboration. Last month we saw a renewed sense of urgency from governments supporting a moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. There are now 38 countries supporting a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining. This gives people hope! The Ocean and Us, and the 350,000 people from around the world that stand with us as well as over 165 organisations and cultural centres, call on states who have not already done so to choose caution. It will show people that we can come together and prevent a disaster from starting. That we dare to protect what belongs to us all. Thank you. Download the statement here: 
Join Us to Protect the Deep!6/19/2025 UNOC3: Official handover of the 'Say NO to Deep-Sea Mining' Petition and the 'Deep-Sea Mining Declaration'Read Now 
Nearly 350,000 Citizens and 160+ Organisations Demand a Moratorium on Deep-Sea Mining at the UN Ocean Conference
At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, The Ocean and Us made your voices impossible to ignore. On Wednesday 11 June, our founder and director Farah Obaidullah met with Madam Leticia Carvalho, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), to formally hand over two powerful expressions of civil society’s growing resistance to deep-sea mining: The Deep-Sea Mining Declaration A bold call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, this declaration reflects the collective voice of civil society committed to defending one of Earth’s most fragile and least understood ecosystems. So far, 162 organisations from 30 countries have signed on — spanning the arts, science, business, sport, education, women-led groups, fisheries associations, and environmental organisations. This global alliance is united by a shared message: “The deep sea is not ours to destroy.” The Say No to Deep-Sea Mining Petition Signed by nearly 350,000 individuals across the world — and still growing — this petition is proof that people everywhere are calling for a halt to deep-sea mining before it begins. “Given the dire state of our living world on which we all depend, we simply cannot afford to open up the global ocean to deep-sea mining. Global resistance — from concerned citizens around the world and across sectors — is clear. We must pause and protect our shared heritage.” — Farah Obaidullah, Founder & Director, The Ocean and Us We delivered these materials as a clear, constructive contribution to the international dialogue on how we govern the ocean’s common heritage. And we delivered them with urgency — because the deep ocean cannot speak for itself. We are calling on the ISA and its Member States to listen. To take this growing wave of public and organisational concern seriously. To act with transparency, precaution, and intergenerational responsibility. “The High Seas represent one of the last truly wild spaces on Earth — a shared heritage of all humanity and all beings, now and in the future. Yet we’re in a moment of crisis. Over two-thirds of global wildlife is already gone. The climate emergency is accelerating this loss, destabilising the natural systems that sustain us — including the deep ocean, which regulates climate, captures carbon, and supports planetary life. If allowed to proceed, deep-sea mining will cause irreversible damage, release carbon stored over millennia, and undermine the ocean’s resilience just when we need it most. Now more than ever, we must protect what belongs to us all. The ocean is not a resource to exploit. It is a living system to respect, restore, and defend.” — Farah Obaidullah, Founder & Director, The Ocean and Us The ISA Chief Executive thanked The Oceans and Us for sharing the Declaration and explained that her “position is that the best way to protect the ocean is to have rigorous regulations.” She noted the organisation’s focus on supporting women in ocean action and explained that she is using the term, Madam Secretary-General, “to highlight the importance, and rarity, of women at the helm of ocean leadership.” Download the Press Release (English) VN conferentie in Frankrijk 9-13 juni wordt cruciaal voor toekomst oceanen
Nederland kan belangrijke rol spelen bij tegenhouden destructieve diepzeemijnbouw Nederland moet zich uitspreken voor een moratorium op diepzeemijnbouw op de VN conferentie over de oceanen, die op 9 juni begint in Nice. Dat zegt de Nederlandse Farah Obaidullah, oprichter van The Ocean and Us*. Als maritiem koploper kan Nederland een belangrijke rol spelen bij de bescherming van de diepzee. 14 Europese landen hebben zich al uitgesproken voor een moratorium, evenals grote bedrijven, waaronder Volvo, BMW, Philips en Apple en de visserijsector. Tegelijkertijd wil President Trump beginnen met diepzeemijnbouw, ongeacht internationale regelgeving. Het gaat om het winnen van metalen op dieptes tot wel 6000 meter met onherstelbare schade tot gevolg. Farah Obaidullah: ’Dit is het moment om ons krachtig uit te spreken voor een moratorium op diepzeemijnbouw en voor het belang van het naleven van internationale regelgeving. De diepzee is cruciaal voor de biodiversiteit, het tegengaan van de klimaatcrisis en voor al het leven op aarde. De High Seas zijn bovendien van ons allemaal, het is ons gezamenlijke erfgoed. We kunnen het ons niet permitteren dat kapot te laten maken door bedrijven met een cowboymentaliteit’. Trump en Allseas staan op het punt internationale regelgeving te ondermijnen Het Nederlands/Zwitserse bedrijf Allseas staat in de startblokken om te beginnen met diepzeemijnbouw, zodra groen licht wordt gegeven door de Internationale Zeebodemautoriteit. Allseas werkt met The Metals Company, een Canadees bedrijf dat samen met de VS internationale regelgeving wil omzeilen om te beginnen met diepzeemijnbouw. In April heeft President Trump een decreet getekend om diepzeemijnbouw te versnellen in zowel Amerikaanse als internationale wateren. De druk om metalen te winnen op de zeebodem tot zo’n 6000 meter diepte wordt opgevoerd door een handjevol bedrijven. Het argument daarvoor is de energietransitie. Maar wetenschappers waarschuwen voor grote risico’s en zeggen dat metalen in de diepzee niet nodig zijn voor de energietransitie. Grote elektrische autofabrikanten en tech giganten zoals BMW, Volkswagen, Phillips en Apple onderschrijven dit en spreken zich eveneens uit tegen diepzeemijnbouw. Inmiddels zien tientalen financiële instanties en verzekeraars af van diepzeemijnbouw. Ook de visserij is tegen diepzeemijnbouw De Europese Adviesraden voor de visserij vragen alle EU-lidstaten om een verbod op diepzeemijnbouw te steunen totdat degelijk wetenschappelijk bewijs kan aantonen dat het geen negatieve invloed zal hebben op mariene ecosystemen of een gevaar vormt voor het levensonderhoud van de visserij. Volgens de visserijsector zijn de risico's van onomkeerbare schade aan mariene ecosystemen en langdurige verstoring van de visserij te groot. Juist Nederland met een grote visserijsector zou hieraan gehoor moeten geven. Farah Obaidullah: ‘De diepzee is een oeroud ecosysteem en speelt een essentiële rol bij het reguleren van het klimaat en ondersteunt de voedselproductie. Dat beschadigen is het domste wat je kunt doen, gezien de slechte staat van de biodiversiteit en de klimaatcrisis. Nederland is altijd toonaangevend geweest op het gebied van zeerecht, navigatie en techniek en moet nu het moratorium ondertekenen. De diepzee kunnen we niet overlaten aan cowboy bedrijven die alleen maar denken aan hun eigen winst’. Voor meer informatie of een interview: De Nederlandse Farah Obaidullah, oprichter van The Ocean and Us is aanwezig op de VN conferentie in Nice, Frankrijk vanaf 7 tot 13 juni. Zij is beschikbaar voor interviews. Bel hiervoor, of voor meer informatie met Valérie Vignat de Baecque (Engelstalig) Tel. (+34) 671 66 10 12 [email protected] Voetnoten:
 By Maya Crute Jones Anyone with a vested interest in Deep-Sea Mining (DSM) touts that polymetallic nodules found in the deep-sea are essential for the green energy transition. As the world hurtles towards climate disaster, carbon emitting transport and energy production are being replaced by more renewable, safe and clean alternatives. However, a growing body of research, public opinion and global manufacturers all highlight the same truth: DSM is not only catastrophically destructive—it’s also unnecessary. The resources typically cited as vital for the green energy transition are “Rare Earth Elements”: nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt. These metals are found in polymetallic nodules in deep-sea ecosystems, and are touted as key for storage batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), wind and solar energy storage (grid and residential), bicycles and marine applications. Innovation in the renewable energy sphere is at the cutting edge of technology, so where these metals were once essential, they are no longer needed. Lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, for example, are increasingly favored across a range of applications. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, LFP batteries do not require cobalt. They avoid the need for environmentally devastating DSM-sourced elements. What once appeared to be a need for new mining zones, has now been rendered obsolete by technological progress. The growth of a circular economy for elements and metals renders DSM unnecessary. 64 companies have signed the WWF business statement calling for a moratorium on DSM and vow not to use deep-sea mined elements in their manufacturing. Signatories include global giants like BMW, Volkswagen, Apple and Google. Furthermore, financial institutions and insurance companies are becoming wary of the reputational, regulatory, operational and financial risks associated with DSM —particularly in an increasingly volatile metals market. This shows that deep-sea mined materials are not only not needed but it would be taboo to use them. Not only is DSM not needed for the green energy transition, but it is utterly counterproductive. Sediments found on the seafloor absorb and lock in 30 % of all anthropogenic carbon and disturbances risk releasing it back into the atmosphere, turbo-charging climate breakdown. Even more striking, a groundbreaking 2024 study found that CO2 is not only sequestered in the deep-sea but that Oxygen is produced by the polymetallic nodules themselves through seawater electrolysis. The very elements that DSM seeks to harvest are producing life-giving oxygen to abyssal plains and the myriad of species that live there. If mining companies truly cared about the green energy transition, they would be in favour of leaving the deep-sea well alone.  By Maya Crute Jones
Imagine trying to have an important conversation amidst drilling, hammering and high-pitched pings that hurt your ears. This has become the 24/7 norm for whales and dolphins (cetaceans) in a seascape that is far from natural. Cetaceans are highly social mammals that rely on their ability to emit and receive sound for just about everything. Even before the industrial revolution, the ocean was not as Jacques Cousteau described it, “a silent world”. The ocean is a cacophony of noise used for communication, socialising and predator/prey interactions. Odontocetes (cetaceans with teeth such as dolphins and Orcas) communicate through clicks and whistles and echolocate to find their prey. The deepest diving cetacean ever recorded was the Cuvier’s Beaked whale who dove to 3000m to hunt giant squid after receiving signals of their presence. Mysticetes (whales with plates of baleen such as Blue and Humpback whales) make wide bandwidth calls to communicate literally across oceans. The beautiful male Humpback whale song was included in a disc sent into the far reaches of space for an alien race to show the sentience of our water world. Whales are able to communicate over entire oceans due to the ability of noise to be propagated much further and faster in water than it does through air. In offshore industries there are strict regulations on when piling for wind turbines, using seismic air guns to find oil and detonating mines from WW2, can occur. These regulations are in accordance with marine mammal breeding, migrations and feeding seasons. Mitigation zones are set up around noise producing activities to reduce harm to marine mammals if their ability to interpret sound is “masked”. This is because cetaceans have exhibited behavioural, feeding and mating changes and man-made noise has been linked to mass cetacean death by stranding. The International Seabed Authority’s exploration licences currently place no temporal or spatial limits to noise creation. Even if they did, effective monitoring, control and enforcement will be extremely difficult in these areas beyond national jurisdiction. For deep-sea mining, sound will not only be produced on the seafloor but throughout the entire water column from the surface to the abyss. Noise pollution would be emitted by the main vessel, pumps, thrusters, geophysical and undersea communications. Riser systems bringing the mined metals from the seafloor to the surface all emit noise and there is no data or knowledge about them in the public domain. It has been calculated that for 17 proposed deep-sea mines, the size of the acoustic footprint could be 5.5 million km2, roughly the size of Australia EACH. For such sentient and social beings, this would be devastating for cetaceans. Not only will cetaceans avoid the area but so will their prey, as fish and invertebrates are also sensitive to anthropogenic noise. This could spell disaster for species that are already suffering from their prey being exploited in illegal overfishing on the high seas. With the constant threat of entanglement, pollution and hunting, we have the power to stop yet another dire threat to cetaceans before it starts! 2/20/2025 Human Rights Violations: Addressing the human rights risks posed by deep-sea miningRead Now  Myth: “Deep-Sea Mining is safeguarding coastal communities as the mining occurs too far offshore to impact anyone”.
The deep-sea mining industry has used this argument time and again: Unlike land-based mining, which pollutes waterways and threatens local communities' health, they claim deep-sea mining is a win-win for nature and people. In 2024, the UN Working Group and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights published an open letter to the International Seabed Authority. The letter implores states and businesses to remember their human rights obligations. Concerns are raised around the significant backlash from stakeholders and indigenous communities on the impact DSM will have on:
Decisions are being made behind closed doors by people who are not representative of the international community or stakeholders. The ISA’s lack of transparency or public consultations has meant that coastal communities' voices are being silenced in the name of profits. We do not yet know if humans will collectively lose more than they could gain if the ISA allows deep-sea mining to go ahead. However, there is hope! We can follow the lead of inspirational coastal communities who have said NO to deep sea mining. We have a unique opportunity to protect coastal communities. Sign the petition today and help to push for a moratorium on deep-sea mining!  In 2016, our founder Farah Obaidullah launched Women4Oceans (W4O) to amplify women’s voices in the ocean space and push for a more inclusive, collective approach to protecting our seas. The ocean is not just another resource to be exploited—it’s the very system that keeps our planet habitable. Yet, much of it belongs to no single nation, making it especially vulnerable.
Since then, we have: • Created the W4O directory to make women experts in ocean sectors more visible. • Published The Ocean and Us—the first book of its kind featuring insights from 35 women ocean specialists. • Spoken at events worldwide on why gender equality is key to effective ocean conservation. For too long, gender equality has been sidelined in ocean philanthropy. But things are changing! The Ocean and Us is now a proud partner in the EU co-funded WIN-BIG project, empowering women in the blue economy. Through this initiative, we are working to elevate women’s careers, increase their visibility, and ensure that the ocean sector benefits from their expertise and leadership. Effective ocean conservation requires that we all pull together! We are excited to join SHE Changes Ocean, a collaborative movement dedicated to advancing women in sustainable ocean conservation and ensuring more women-inclusive decision-making at the highest levels. This year, we are upgrading the Women4Oceans directory! If you haven’t added yourself yet, now’s the time: https://www.theoceanandus.org/join-us.html Philanthropists, we need your support to take this to the next level. Let’s ensure women leading the fight for our ocean get the recognition—and resources—they deserve. Together, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring women’s expertise and leadership shape the future of ocean protection.  The Deep Sea mining industry claims it is lucrative and equitable. These claims are completely unfounded. Imagine working at depths of 4000m in total darkness at pressures that would crush a bus in microseconds. The logistics and costs of working in this environment are unknown and are not commercially viable.
Economic models suggest that introducing metal deposits from the deep sea to the terrestrial market could depress prices. This would severely affect the ability of companies to make a profit. Members of the International Seabed Authority claim that the present net value to humankind equals $100,000 per year for ISA member states. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition found that to reach this, the ISA would have to issue hundreds of contracts and makes us question- is this worth putting our ocean’s at risk? We do not yet know the economic value of the deep ocean. The deep ocean provides:
The good news? The nodules being targeted are not even necessary for the energy transition. This means that DSM just doesn’t add up!  ©Alejandra Victoria Chacon Farah Obaidullah, founder of The Ocean and Us, has wrapped up her three-week journey through Baja California as part of The Ocean Hope Expedition. Focused on raising awareness and resistance against deep-sea mining, the expedition's field mission began in Baja, the landmass closest to the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ)—a key area targeted for mining in the Pacific. Baja’s deep connection to the ocean made it an ideal starting point for this critical mission. “Mexico’s vast coastline, spanning nearly 10,000 kilometers, is rich in marine life and culture,” said Farah Obaidullah.“The ocean is ingrained in Baja’s identity, not only through stunning murals of whale sharks, whales, and turtles adorning the streets but also in the daily lives of its people. Many here live, work, and depend on the ocean—it's in their blood, woven into their traditions and livelihoods. These animals and ecosystems can’t become relics of the past—we must protect them by stopping deep-sea mining.” KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE EXPEDITION Resilience Amidst Challenges: Farah Obaidullah met with fishing communities transitioning into conservation and eco-tourism after decades of overfishing. “These are resilient people turning challenges into opportunities,” she noted. However, the impacts of climate change, such as unpredictable weather, threaten their livelihoods. Many are concerned that deep-sea mining will introduce yet another challenge, disrupting marine ecosystems and local fisheries. "If deep-sea mining moves forward, it will destroy everything. The Sea of Cortez is connected to the Pacific, so whatever happens there will inevitably impact us here. It would mean the end of our livelihoods." Alejandro Lucero - 4th generation fisherman, tour operator "People need to get informed and understand the threat of deep-sea mining. It might seem far away, but it could happen sooner than we think. Just like with climate change—we thought it was something for the future, and now it’s right on top of us. Deep-sea mining could be even worse. If it starts, it’ll be much harder to stop. That’s why we need to act now and prevent it before it’s too late.” James Ketchum - Pelagios Kakunjá  ©TheOceanandUs Whale Sharks and Deep-Sea Mining: Baja is one of the world’s few whale shark hotspots, with tourism supporting local economies. However, whale sharks are known to migrate through the Pacific Ocean and dive in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. “The deepest recorded dive of a whale shark is nearly 2,000 meters. We don’t yet know how deep-sea mining will affect whale sharks, but it’s clear that until we understand their life cycles, we can’t risk disrupting their environment”, Farah Obaidullah emphasized. Unified Opposition to Deep-Sea Mining: The communities Farah Obaidullah engaged with voiced strong opposition to deep-sea mining, citing concerns about unregulated impacts on fisheries, biodiversity, and their livelihoods. “People here understand the risks and are united in saying we can’t afford another assault on the ocean,” she added. "The ocean is life—for those of us on the coast and those in cities alike. Deep-sea mining threatens everyone’s future. We can’t wait to act; we must protect our oceans now, for the sake of nature and the quality of life we all share." – Judith Castro Lucero, conservationist and co-director of Amigos para la Conservación de Cabo Pulmo A.C., advocating to protect Cabo Pulmo National Park from harmful tourism development. A CALL FOR ACTION Farah Obaidullah also highlighted the region’s environmental challenges, including the loss of kelp forests due to human activities including human-induced climate change. Yet, her time in Mexico underscored the resilience and determination of communities fighting for ocean conservation. “Though we’ve only scratched the surface of how communities in Baja are grappling with the impacts of the climate crisis and other human activities like industrial fishing and pollution, one thing is clear: nobody we spoke with wants deep-sea mining to begin.” - Farah Obaidullah The Ocean Hope Expedition continues to rally global support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Through outreach and advocacy, it strives to protect vital ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for oceans and coastal communities. With endorsements from 26 organizations and counting, the campaign seeks further support from businesses, educational institutions, and cultural centers worldwide to endorse the Deep-Sea Mining Declaration, urging global leaders to take action and establish a moratorium on deep-sea mining activities. Individuals can make an impact by signing the ‘Say NO to Deep-Sea Mining’ petition, which has already gathered over 344,000 signatures - with over 700 new sign-ons in the last few weeks. The goal is to reach 500,000 signatures ahead of the 2025 Seabed Authority discussions. In 2025, Farah Obaidullah will deliver both the Deep-Sea Mining Declaration and the Petition to the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice and to the International Seabed Authority, amplifying global calls for a moratorium and urging leaders to prioritize marine protection over industrial exploitation. "Deep-sea mining is the first activity we can stop before it even starts. As a marine biologist, I’m really concerned about the creatures in the deep ocean that we haven’t even discovered yet. If mining destroys their habitat, we’ll lose the chance to learn about them forever. This is our shared patrimony, and as a young scientist, it worries me that we might miss these incredible discoveries in the future.” Valeria Magaña - SOA Mexico From top left to bottom right:
• Mobula Sea Café event in La Paz; • Panel discussion at Caracol, Museo de Ciencias, Ensenada with Dr. Luz Erandi Saldaña-Ruiz, Farah Obaidullah, marine ecologist Meliza Le Alvarado, biologist Santiago Cortes Vasquez of Terra Peninsular (Mexican nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving Baja California's ecosystems and wildlife), Marco Antonio Lazcano, Director of the Litigation Program at Defensa Ambiental del Noroeste (DAN); • Farah with the Baja Seasters in Ensenada; • Artistic Night at the Mobula Sea Café with artist and marine biologist Miguel Salazar, Hombre de Mar, journalist Carlos Ibarra, Farah, Frida Lara of Orgcas (multidisciplinary collective of marine biologists, creatives, lawyers, researchers and educators), and Alekz Aguila, Conexiones Climaticas; • Sunbathing sealions; • Farah Obaidullah preparing for a dive in Ensenada; • Dolphin sculpture in La Paz. ©TheOceanandUs Download the press release |
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