French Polynesia: Deep-Sea Mining Sirens Masquerading as Development and Security

Deep-sea mining is a critical issue for all who depend on the ocean. The extraction of metals from  the seabed is framed as necessary for energy and defense technologies, and as a lucrative  opportunity for Pacific small island developing states. In reality, deep-sea mining comes with  significant economic, environmental, and social risks. The deep sea is one of the least explored  and least understood places on earth. Commercial mining risks tearing open the seabed before  there is a baseline understanding of what will be destroyed. 

This project comes at an important juncture. The International Seabed Authority is set to deliver  rules on deep-sea mining later this year, but some states are hastening to begin unilaterally mining  the international seabed before those regulations are released, essentially moving forward without  a rulebook. This would set a dangerous precedent not only for ocean governance, but for adherence  to the international legal order in an increasingly contested world. 

This work aims to assist French Polynesia in preventing a tragedy of the commons in the Pacific  Ocean, while supporting sustainable economic development on its path to independence. The  report brings a multidisciplinary lens to these challenges, drawing on legal and policy research to  address the economic, environmental, and social risks of deep-sea mining. The analysis includes  a critical assessment of the unique legal issues posed by deep-sea mining, the role of deep-sea  minerals in the clean energy transition, a review of scientific research to-date, and  recommendations for viable and sustainable economic development alternatives to deep-sea  mining. 

This project is supported by Professor Jenik Radon.