The need for metals, particularly for batteries as we move away from a carbon-based energy sector, has renewed interest in deep-sea mining. On the high seas, twenty-seven global mining exploration licenses covering over 1.5 million km2 of seafloor have been granted by the International Seabed Authority. There are significant risks from these activities to both seafloor and midwater ecosystems over potentially very large areas. Dr. Jeff Drazen, Professor, Department of Oceanography, UH Mānoa will outline the potential risks to biodiversity, carbon cycling and particularly fisheries, sharing what we know and don’t yet understand. He will discuss the potential of US Pacific Monuments for conserving biodiversity and deep-sea ecosystem health in the face of the developing mining industry.
This presentation is part of the Third Thursday By the Bay Presentation Series at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, which is the visitor center for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. This State of the Monument lecture series is also supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators with educational and scientific expertise, resources, and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. This series currently targets formal and informal educators, students (high school through college), as well as members of the community, including families. You can also visit the archives of the webinar series to catch up on presentations you may have missed here.
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The Webinar ID is 176-816-571.
