Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online
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” »
That’s me on the day the Pacific Remote Islands (Pacific Islands Heritage) marine national monument was designated in 2009. I’ve been working in communities on these protected areas for nearly 20 years.
The deep-sea mining world was thrown a curveball last week when, as the spring session of the International Seabed Authority came to a close, the Metals Company, one of several commercial ventures seeking permission to mine polymetallic nodules in the Clipperton-Clarion Zone, announced that they would seek permission to mine directly from the United States, … Read More “The Metals Company has a Jones Act Problem” »
Early this year, the Norwegian parliament approved a bill to open up 300,000 square kilometers of it’s exclusive economic zone to companies exploring the potential for deep-sea mining for lithium, scandium, cobalt, and other critical minerals. It was a bill allowing the issuing of exploration permits, an important first step towards the commercialization of deep-sea … Read More “Norway pushes pause on plans to mine the deep sea.” »
Over 15 years ago, I set sail from Matupi Harbor, Papua New Guinea to a spot in the middle of the Bismarck Sea between New Britain and New Ireland to study and understand the ecological diversity of a hydrothermal vent system resting beneath a submerged volcano 1600 meters beneath the sea. That hydrothermal vent system … Read More “What is going on at Solwara I?” »
In a surprise upset on the final day of the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority, Leticia Carvalho secured the position of Secretary General over 8-year incumbent Michael Lodge. The 79 to 34 vote was a decisive rejection of Lodge’s leadership, whose tenure has been marred by criticism that he has improperly shared information … Read More “Leticia Carvalho will be the next Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority” »
In a little over 2 week, the International Seabed Authority will once again convene in Kingston, Jamaica to continue the 30-year process of establishing a regulatory regime for mining the minerals of the deep sea beyond the borders of any nation. This deep-sea mining negotiation is the most important meeting for not only the future … Read More “Election of ISA Secretary-General mired by accusations of bribery and corruption” »
Friends of the Mariana Trench Express Gratitude for the Successful Publication of Monument Management Plan
A joint statement from David Shiffman Consulting, Inc and Blackbeard Biologic: Science and Environmental Advisors A 2024 presidential hopeful recently expressed concerns regarding the relative risks of electric boats and shark attacks, stating that: “What would happen if the boat sank from its weight, and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is … Read More “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Experts respond to concerns over the relative risks of electric boats and shark encounters” »
On Monday, the venerable, Beyoncé-endorsed seafood chain declared bankruptcy. Red Lobster has been struggling for a while. It was sold to private equity firm Golden Gate Capital in 2014 for $2.1 billion and then bought out by the seafood supplier Thai Union in 2020. Thai Union is one of the world’s largest seafood conglomerates. Thai … Read More “You did not bankrupt Red Lobster by eating too many shrimp.” »
