Category: Featured

The Urgency is Artificial. My comment on the proposed permitting of deep-sea mining leases off American Samoa

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Exploration, Featured

Last month, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, who oversees seabed mineral mining within US water received an application from Impossible Metals to lease an area offshore of American Samoa for deep-sea mining trials. Unlike The Metals Company’s bid to mine the high seas under US license, the Federal Government had clear authority to issue … Read More “The Urgency is Artificial. My comment on the proposed permitting of deep-sea mining leases off American Samoa” »

Trump’s DEI Attacks Make Ocean Justice More Important Than Ever

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, Policy

It is more important than ever to discuss and create policies that center equity and justice in ocean conservation. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and destructive, the fossil fuel industry continues to pollute our common resources, critical habitats are increasingly lost to climate change impacts, and the people most affected are those living … Read More “Trump’s DEI Attacks Make Ocean Justice More Important Than Ever” »

Deep-sea Mining: It’s science fiction, until it isn’t.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, Policy

This editorial originally appeared as my farewell letter when I ended my tenure at the Deep-sea Mining Observer. In light of recent news surrounding deep-sea mining, I am republishing it here for posterity. Four years ago, I took over the Deep-sea Mining Observer from my predecessor, Arlo Hemphill. Conceived by the Pew Charitable Trust in … Read More “Deep-sea Mining: It’s science fiction, until it isn’t.” »

2025 Our Ocean Commitments Reveal Disparity in Global Ocean Priorities

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Featured, News, Policy

“Show me your budget and I’ll tell you what your values are” — President Joseph R. Biden The 10th Our Ocean conference ended on April 30, 2025 and touted its success in securing 277 new ocean conservation commitments totaling $9.1 billion in pledged support across the conference’s areas of action. Despite the primacy of 30×30 … Read More “2025 Our Ocean Commitments Reveal Disparity in Global Ocean Priorities” »

First live video of a colossal squid highlights one of the most exciting knowledge gaps in deep ocean exploration

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Exploration, Featured

Earlier this month, the good folks at the Schmidt Institute for Oceanography, unveiled the first video footage of a colossal squid. Colossal squid were first described 100 years ago, but have never been seen live. What little information we have comes from specimens that washed up on beaches or from hard parts found in the … Read More “First live video of a colossal squid highlights one of the most exciting knowledge gaps in deep ocean exploration” »

Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining and Critical Minerals: Part 2, what is in the Executive Order?

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, News, Policy

Last night, the President signed an Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining. The order directs primarily NOAA and DOI to develop an expedited permitting process for mining in both the US EEZ and, chaotically, the high seas beyond US jurisdiction. I provide a brief overview of the industry here: Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining … Read More “Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining and Critical Minerals: Part 2, what is in the Executive Order?” »

Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining and Critical Minerals: Part 1, what are we talking about?

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Featured, News

Late yesterday afternoon, the President signed and executive order on Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources. This order accelerates the US’s expansion into the nascent deep-sea mining industry, asserts its claims over minerals of the US outer continental shelf, and reasserts its claims over mineral deposits in the high seas, with some interesting caveats. … Read More “Understanding the Executive Order on Deep-sea Mining and Critical Minerals: Part 1, what are we talking about?” »

5 things you can do if you’re pissed off about the latest Trump EO

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Featured, News, Policy

Donald Trump opened an area of about 250 million acres of protected American waters to industrial fishing fleets on Thursday.  This sets a very dangerous precedent that our public lands and waters are for sale to the highest bidder. I know that we’re all exhausted from the onslaught of daily outrages by the Trump administration.  … Read More “5 things you can do if you’re pissed off about the latest Trump EO” »