WWF takes legal action against Norwegian deep sea mining

Norway is to open up Norwegian ocean areas for deep seabed mining, WWF-Norway believes the decision was made using information that does not meet the minimum legal requirements.

In January, Norway voted to open up Arctic waters for exploration and exploitation of minerals on the seabed. The EU Parliament adopted a resolution against Norway's deep sea mining move in February, expressing strong concern at Norway’s action.

Currently, many countries, including the UK, have called for a pause on deep seabed mining and numerous marine scientists are against the practice.

Nevertheless, the opening report for deep seabed mining was officially presented to the Norwegian King in Council on 12 April and WWF-Norway announced an intention to take the Norwegian government to court for failing to comply with the impact assessment requirements of the Seabed Minerals Act.

This month the case has been filed. We will follow the outcome.