Two articles:

1.  ATLAS Project: ‘EU-funded research is shedding more light on the depths of the North Atlantic maritime region – a better understanding of deep-sea habitats will inform the sustainable management of this vital resource. What happens in the depths of oceans has a profound effect on our environment and climate – currently a global effort is underway to improve understanding of these depths – essential to developing what is called ‘maritime spatial planning’ (MSP). MSP is a process of involving multiple users of the ocean, across borders and sectors, to make informed and coordinated decisions on managing marine resources in an efficient, safe and sustainable way.

The EU-funded project ATLAS is applying a new approach to an international effort to develop an adaptive Atlantic MSP that will span the deep waters of the EU, US and Canada as well as international waters.

ATLAS will also bring together a wide variety of marine science datasets, which coupled with the ocean-scale MSP, can transform our ability to sustainably manage the ocean’s resources. All the research will take place in the wide context of better understanding climate change.’ To read more click here

2.  Deep sea mining getting ever nearer a reality

Guardian   ‘Mining the deep ocean floor for valuable metals is both inevitable and vital, according to the scientists, engineers and industrialists exploring the world’s newest mining frontier.

The special metals found in rich deposits there are critical for smart electronics and crucial green technologies, such as solar power and electric cars. But as the world’s population rises, demand is now outstripping the production from mines on land for some important elements.

Those leading the global rush to place giant mining machines thousands of metres below the sea surface say the extraordinary richness of the underwater ores mean the environmental impacts will be far lower than on land. But critics say exotic and little-known ecosystems in the deep oceans could be destroyed and must be protected.’ Click here to read more