 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  🌊 Hope Comes in Waves: A Win for the Ocean! 🌊
The Norwegian government has hit pause on its plans to mine the deep sea for minerals—a major win for our ocean and for the growing global movement to stop deep-sea mining! As Norway pushed to open its seabed to destructive mining, opposition swelled not just within Norway but worldwide. Earlier this year, the European Parliament decisively opposed Norway’s plans to mine the Arctic seabed. The Ocean and Us was among those urging Members of Parliament to reject these destructive plans. This milestone shows the power of collective action: 🔹 Scientists, organizations, businesses, and ocean advocates worldwide are beating the drum for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. 🔹 Together, we are sending a clear message: the deep sea—our planet’s last great wilderness—is not up for grabs. While this is a huge step forward, the fight is far from over. We need to ensure that the High Seas, which belong to all of us, remain off limits to mining. 💪🏽 Here’s how you can help: 📢 Sign and share our petition to say NO to deep-sea mining. 📢 If you are a company, association or organisation or institution, endorse our declaration. 🤝 Support the movement by adopting a Deep-Sea Wonder. Remember, deep-sea mining is a disaster we can stop before it begins—but only if we stand together. Let’s keep the momentum going for a healthier, thriving ocean! 💙  Un fascinante recorrido por México unirá a defensores del medio ambiente, artistas, pescadores y comunidades locales en eventos que celebran la importancia de los mares y destacan la amenaza de la minería en aguas profundas. Con actividades en La Paz, Cabo Pulmo, La Ventana y Ensenada, Farah Obaidullah impulsará intercambios sobre conservación marina, buceará con expertos y explorará la biodiversidad junto a conservacionistas, artistas y ONGs locales.
El equipo está impaciente por escuchar las voces de las comunidades mexicanas que trabajan incansablemente para proteger y restaurar estos ecosistemas y por compartir sus historias con el mundo. A través de esta expedición, buscan amplificar estos esfuerzos, inspirar a la acción y fomentar conexiones más profundas con el océano mediante el poder de la narración. AGENDA MÉXICO NOVIEMBRE 2024 La Expedición Ocean Hope recorrerá la Península de Baja California en México este mes de noviembre, involucrando a las comunidades locales en eventos enfocados en la conservación de los océanos. • El 12 de noviembre, la expedición comienza en Casa Fandango en La Paz con una proyección del documental "In Too Deep, the True Cost of Deep Sea Mining", seguida de un panel de discusión con expertos marinos como James Ketchum (Pelagios Kakunjá), Alejandro Olivera (Centro para la Diversidad Biológica), la líder del SOA Mexico Hub, Valeria Magaña, y la fundadora de The Ocean and Us, Farah Obaidullah, con la moderación de Nora Torres de Beta Diversidad. • Como parte de su misión, Farah Obaidullah también participará en actividades prácticas de conservación, incluyendo el monitoreo de tiburones ballena con Whale Shark Mexico, una excursión de investigación con el equipo femenino de Orgcas y una sesión de buceo sostenible con pescadores locales en La Ventana. • El 16 de noviembre: Mobula Café en La Paz será sede de una velada creativa e interactiva con Farah, el artista Miguel "Hombre de Mar", el periodista Carlos G. Ibarra y Frida Lara de Orgcas, moderados por Alejandro de Conexiones Climáticas. • La expedición se trasladará a Cabo Pulmo el 17 de noviembre, donde el equipo visitará el Centro de Aprendizaje de Cabo Pulmo para una proyección de "In Too Deep, the True Cost of Deep Sea Mining" y un debate sobre el tema crítico de la minería en aguas profundas. Esto será seguido por un buceo con pescadores conservacionistas locales, incluida Judith Castro Lucero, cuya visión sobre prácticas sostenibles iluminará las conexiones entre la conservación marina y la resiliencia comunitaria. • La expedición culmina el 22 de noviembre en el Museo del Caracol en Ensenada con otra proyección y un panel de cierre en el que participarán Farah, Fernando Ochoa de DAN México y Terra Peninsular, moderado por Meliza Le Alvarado. Cada evento promueve el diálogo y la colaboración entre científicos, defensores y el público, destacando la necesidad de una acción colectiva para proteger nuestros océanos para las generaciones futuras. En 2025, Farah continuará involucrándose con diversas comunidades a lo largo de la costa oeste de América, con algunos puntos clave en Alaska, Canadá, California, así como en países de Centro y Sudamérica como Costa Rica, Perú y Chile. Descargar el comunicado de prensa An exciting journey across Mexico is set to bring together environmental advocates, artists, fishers and local communities through a series of impactful events celebrating the beauty and importance of the high seas while raising awareness about the growing threat of deep-sea mining. The itinerary includes screenings, panel discussions, artistic collaborations, and immersive marine activities in La Paz, Cabo Pulmo, La Ventana, and Ensenada. Farah Obaidullah will engage in conversations on ocean conservation, dive with marine experts, and explore biodiversity through hands-on experiences with local conservationists, artists, and NGOs.
The team is eager to hear the voices of Mexican communities working tirelessly to protect and restore these ecosystems and to share their stories with the world. Through this expedition, they aim to amplify these efforts, inspiring action and fostering deeper connections with the ocean through the power of storytelling. AGENDA MEXICO 2024 The Ocean Hope Expedition is set to travel along Mexico’s Baja Peninsula this month of November, engaging communities with events focused on ocean conservation. • On November 12, the expedition kicks off at Casa Fandango in La Paz with a screening of the documentary "In Too Deep, the True Cost of Deep Sea Mining" followed by a panel discussion featuring marine experts like James Ketchum (Pelagios Kakunjá), Alejandro Olivera (Center for Biological Diversity), and SOA Mexico Hub Leader Valeria Magaña, and The Ocean and Us founder Farah Obaidullah, moderated by Nora Torres from Beta Diversidad. • As part of her mission, Farah Obaidullah will also participate in hands-on conservation activities, including whale shark monitoring with Whale Shark Mexico, a research excursion with the all-female Orgcas team, and a sustainable diving session with local fishermen in La Ventana. • On November 16, Mobula Café in La Paz will host a creative and interactive evening with Farah, artist Miguel “Hombre de Mar,” journalist Carlos G. Ibarra, and Orgcas’s Frida Lara, moderated by Alejandro from Conexiones Climáticas. • The expedition moves to Cabo Pulmo on November 17th, where the team will visit the Cabo Pulmo Learning Centre for a screening of ´In Too Deep, the True Cost of Deep Sea Mining’ and discussion on the critical issue of deep-sea mining. This will be followed by a dive with local conservationist fishers, including Judith Castro Lucero, whose insights into sustainable practices will illuminate the connections between marine conservation and community resilience. • The expedition culminates on November 22 at Ensenada’s Museo del Caracol with another screening and a closing panel featuring Farah, Fernando Ochoa of DAN Mexico, and Terra Peninsular, moderated by Meliza Le Alvarado. Each event fosters dialogue and collaboration among scientists, advocates, and the public, highlighting the need for collective action to protect our oceans for generations to come. In 2025, Farah will continue to engage with various communities along the West coast of the Americas with some focal points in Alaska, Canada, California as well as Central and Southern American countries such as Costa Rica, Peru and Chile. Download the Press Release Have you heard of Ecocide Law? A campaign is underway to get the International Criminal Court to adopt Ecocide as the fifth international crime. The other four crimes currently recognised are: War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, Crimes of Aggression and Genocide. Once Ecocide gets adopted individuals can be held accountable for wilfully destroying the natural world. Deep-sea mining is ecocide. We know it will destroy ancient habitat, will impact the systems in the ocean that make life possible in ways we don't yet understand, and risks disturbing locked-away carbon. I was invited to speak on a panel at the European Parliament to discuss how criminalising ecocide will help save the ocean. Check out the recorded discussion here. Ecocide law is an imperative that will help normalise our moral obligation towards the natural world and our own future as well as to the fellow beings we share this beautiful planet with. For once we have the collective power to stop a disaster before it begins. We can despair about the state of the world or we can act! Just a few years no country was speaking out against deep-sea mining. Now 32 countries choose caution, dozens of companies say no to deep-sea mining and millions of people around the world are speaking out! Join the movement! Let's make sure those in power listen. - Endorse the Declaration calling on world leaders to secure a moratorium on dee-sea mining. - Sign and share our petition. More than 344,000 of you already have! If you, and everyone reading this, chips in just 10 - 20 Euro / dollar, or the equivalent of your favourite drink, then together we can stop deep-sea mining! Thank you! - Farah Obaidullah Founder of The Ocean and Us. 📸 ©Tiago Pires da Cruz  On October 3rd, the European Parliament in Brussels will host a groundbreaking discussion about the future of our ocean. Our seas are facing unprecedented threats—#DeepSeaMining, #Overfishing, and #Pollution are just a few of the forces putting marine ecosystems at risk. With the ocean covering over 70% of Earth’s surface and home to 80% of all life, the time to act is now! This event will dive into a bold idea: making ecocide—the large-scale destruction of ecosystems—a crime. Imagine if those who harm our oceans on a massive scale could be held legally accountable. The EU is already paving the way with its revised #EnvironmentalCrimesDirective, but this could be the game-changer that truly turns the tide for ocean protection. Farah Obaidullah from The Ocean and Us will be there, adding her voice to a panel of marine conservation champions including MEP Emma Fourreau, MEP Isabella Lövin, Matthew Gianni (Deep Sea Conservation Coalition), and Sue Miller (Stop Ecocide International). Together, they’ll explore how criminalising ecocide could reshape the future of ocean conservation. This conversation could spark the legal revolution our ocean so desperately needs. Stay tuned—big things are coming for the future of our planet’s lifeblood.   |
|
|
|
Certified by:
|
|