A coalition of 19 civil society groups and concerned individuals is calling on the Government of Jamaica to support the global call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. 

The urgency follows the signing of a controversial Executive Order on April 24, 2025, by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, which instructs the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to expedite the process for evaluating and delivering exploration and exploitation permits under the US Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resources Act (DSHMRA). The order seeks to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. and international waters, threatening fragile marine ecosystems and undermining decades of international cooperation.

Of particular concern is The Metals Company USA (TMC USA), a private deep-sea mining entity that, just days later on April 29, submitted applications to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for two exploration licenses and a commercial recovery permit. These licenses would cover areas in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean—parts of the international seabed that fall under the jurisdiction of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), headquartered in Jamaica.

The company’s actions, bolstered by the Executive Order, bypass the ISA’s legal authority and undermine the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines the international seabed as the ‘common heritage of humankind’ to be managed collectively for the benefit of all nations, not exploited for private gain.

“A moratorium on deep-sea mining is the best solution to protect the ocean, uphold international law, and preserve the common heritage of humankind,” said Dr Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, CEO of Jamaica Environment Trust. “Jamaica, as the host country of the ISA, has a special responsibility to join the growing international call for a moratorium.”

A moratorium would:

• Defend the multilateral process and international law at a time when unilateralism threatens ocean governance.
• Send a strong signal that no single state or corporation can unilaterally claim the ocean’s resources.
• Allow time for vital scientific research into the risks deep-sea mining poses to fragile marine ecosystems, ensuring future decisions are informed, cautious, and based on evidence, not profit.

The deep ocean remains one of the least understood ecosystems on Earth, and the consequences of mining activities could be catastrophic and irreversible. Civil society groups are urging Jamaica and the global community to stand up for the ocean and the rule of law by supporting a moratorium on deep-sea mining.