Deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules threatens unique ecosystems and species whose welfare implications are poorly understood.
Deep-sea mining welfare considerations are at the frontier of animal welfare science. Many deep-sea species are unknown to science making welfare assessment impossible. Known species like octopuses, sponges and various fish would experience physical destruction of habitat alongside sediment plumes causing respiratory stress and smothering. The extremely slow recovery timescales of deep-sea ecosystems mean impacts are effectively permanent on human timescales. The precautionary principle strongly supports welfare-aware assessment before industrial extraction begins.