Seabed Mining: A Threat to Washington's Waters, and our Successful Campaign to Ban this Practice

Seabed Mining graphic from Pew Charitable Trusts

(Archived video of this presentation.)

Seabed mining (SBM) is a damaging extractive industry and growing threat to our global oceans as well as our own coast. Washington's state waters contain known mineral deposits that could become a target for industrial extraction. Given the present reality of rising ocean temperatures and acidification, our coastal ecosystems and communities do not need another threat. 

Surfrider and Twin Harbors Waterkeeper joined the Pew Charitable Trusts to mount a successful campaign against SBM in Washington State Waters.  But this issue is still a real and growing threat to our global ocean.  We’ll explain what seabed mining is, where it's happening, and what it could mean for our marine ecosystems, as well as steps we can take to promote a sustainable circular economy.

- Lee will discuss what steps Twin Harbors Waterkeeper is taking to work with coastal youth to reduce the use of single use plastic, and she’ll discuss the “yellow ropes project.”

- Liz will explain Surfrider’s many years of marine plastics activism, and highlight recent and ongoing legislation, both local and national, that makes Surfrider Foundation a leader for this important issue.