Africa & the Ocean: Why a Deep-Sea Mining Pause Matters | Global Issues

Victoria, Seychelles – The future of ocean governance is entering a critical phase, with the recent coming into force of the High Seas Treaty and progress on the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies creating momentum for stronger marine protections. However, this progress is threatened by the growing push for deep-sea mining – the extraction of minerals from the ocean floor thousands of meters below the surface.

As global discussions surrounding deep-sea mining intensify, Africa is poised to play a key role in shaping the outcome. Several crucial meetings are scheduled throughout 2026, beginning with the African Union Summit in February and culminating in the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, in June. These events present opportunities for African leadership in advocating for responsible ocean stewardship.

The debate over deep-sea mining is particularly relevant to regions like the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), one of the world’s most biodiverse marine areas, with an estimated 22 percent endemism. The WIO is already facing significant environmental stresses, including deteriorating coral reefs, mangrove forests, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The 2020 oil spill from the Wakashio off the coast of Mauritius served as a stark reminder of the potential for rapid and widespread harm to the ocean and coastal communities.

Seychelles, a long-standing champion of the blue economy and marine conservation, is positioned to lead the call for a precautionary approach. The nation’s early ratification of the High Seas Treaty and advocacy for marine protected areas, such as the Saya de Malha Bank, demonstrate its commitment to responsible ocean governance. Should deep-sea mining commence in the Pacific Ocean, the mid-Indian Ridge, east of Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and within the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement region are likely to follow.

Scientific research underscores the need for caution. Deep-sea mining would have an irreversible impact on seabed ecosystems and species. Recent studies of the midwater zone, where waste plumes from mining operations would spread, suggest that mining particles could reduce the nutritional quality of food for zooplankton by up to ten times, potentially disrupting the entire food web. Given that more than 99.99 percent of the deep ocean floor remains unexplored, the potential for unforeseen and lasting damage is significant.

The economic risks for the WIO region are also substantial. The region’s natural assets have been conservatively valued at $333.8 billion, with fisheries representing the single largest component. The WIO generates approximately 4.8 percent of the global fish catch, roughly 4.5 million tonnes annually, supporting economies and livelihoods across the region. Undermining the sustainability of these fisheries could threaten economic resilience and food security.

Concerns exist that deep-sea mining could replicate patterns of inequitable resource exploitation seen in other African sectors, where local communities often bear the environmental costs while external actors capture the majority of the economic benefits. Without robust governance frameworks ensuring fair participation and transparency, deep-sea mining models risk prioritizing short-term profits over regional priorities.

the argument that deep-sea mining is essential for the renewable energy transition is increasingly challenged. Advances in recycling technologies, circular economy approaches, and the development of alternative materials are reducing the projected demand for minerals from new extraction. The United Nations Environment Programme has stated that investment in deep-sea mining activities is currently inconsistent with the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles.

Initiatives like the Great Blue Wall, aiming to create connected networks of protected and restored marine areas, demonstrate a positive vision for ocean management. These efforts prioritize both ecological health and community wellbeing. Protecting these gains requires preventing new activities that could compromise existing progress.

More than 40 countries worldwide, including France, Fiji, Chile, and Mexico, now support a pause on deep-sea mining. A precautionary pause, advocates argue, is not a rejection of economic progress but a commitment to sound science, inclusive dialogue, and responsible stewardship. The call for a pause reflects a growing global movement demanding greater accountability in decisions that shape the future of the ocean.

As James Alix Michel, former President of Seychelles, and Dona Bertarelli, a biodiversity champion, have noted, the health of the ocean is inextricably linked to the livelihoods, culture, and climate resilience of communities across Africa and beyond. Protecting Africa’s ocean future requires a commitment to sustainable practices and a recognition that long-term wellbeing must take precedence over short-term gains.