‘Mining can inflict irreversible damage on species and ecosystems’

Islamabad:Former Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed has highlighted the geopolitical dimensions of deep-sea mining and urged Pakistan to harness its strategic Indian Ocean position while advocating for fair global governance while ensuring a balanced natural eco-system.

Mr Mushahid was delivering keynote address at international seminar on “Deep-sea mining: prospects & the global conservation imperatives” organised here by National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) in collaboration with Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). Dr Diva Amon, biologist at University of California National Geographic, cautioned against the irreversible damage mining could inflict on undiscovered species and carbon-rich ecosystems.

Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed, President, of NIMA, has emphasized the ocean’s dual identity as both a vital resource and a shared legacy. Norwegian Ambassador Per Albert urged to explore economic opportunities linked with deep sea mining while being cautious to environment. He highlighted that Norway's government is already using the less harmful technology for exploration in their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf.