Publication - July 7, 2013
The deep sea is a place of myth and mystery, filled with weird and wonderful life
forms, and vital to the survival of our planet. But now, this mostly unknown world
is facing large-scale industrial exploitation – as mining of the deep seabed for
minerals fast becomes reality. As land-based minerals become depleted and
prices rise, the search for new sources of supply is turning to the sea floor. This
emerging industry, facilitated by advances in technology, poses a major threat
to our oceans, which are already suffering from a number of pressures including
overfishing, pollution, and the effects of climate change.