Deep-sea mining and protest activities: A difficult relationship
Willaert, K. (2025). Deep-sea mining and protest activities: A difficult relationship, in: Sharma, R. (Ed.) Deep-sea mining management, policy and regulation: Data management, environmental monitoring, techno-economic assessment, Law of the Sea and regulatory regimes. pp. 423-446. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-92737-9_14
In: Sharma, R. (Ed.) (2025). Deep-sea mining management, policy and regulation: Data management, environmental monitoring, techno-economic assessment, Law of the Sea and regulatory regimes. Springer: Cham. ISBN 978-3-031-92736-2. XIII, 525 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-92737-9, more
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| Abstract |
Protest at sea against deep-sea mining is on the rise. Following demonstrations against the activities of Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR) in May 2021, Greenpeace interfered with the operations of Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) in November 2023. The latter case received more media attention, increased involvement by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and led to a Dutch court decision on the matter, shedding more light on a very complex legal issue. To what extent can such actions be reconciled with the freedom of the high seas? What is encompassed by ‘peaceful protest’ and do these protest activities against deep-sea mining meet the conditions? What other principles and provisions are relevant in these situations and how are these applied? And in case of infractions, which remedies are available and who is responsible to enforce the applicable rules? On the basis of a comprehensive examination of pertinent legislation, official documents and case law, this chapter will offer an insightful view on these issues and the relevant legal developments. |
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