American Seabed Protection Act

This bill, called the American Seabed Protection Act, would stop the federal government from issuing new licenses or permits for deep seabed exploration or commercial recovery, and for exploration, development, or production of hardrock minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf. Scientific research could still go forward.

The bill says deep-sea mining could harm ocean life and food webs, create large sediment plumes and noise, and even affect carbon storage in the ocean. Because there isn’t enough science yet, it orders the Secretary of Commerce to seek an agreement within 90 days with the National Academies to study the environmental impacts and report the findings to Congress. The study must look at impacts on habitats and species, greenhouse gases, fisheries and recreation, aquaculture, subsea infrastructure, and Indigenous communities, as well as alternatives like recycling and safer substitutes.

Key points

• Who is affected: Companies seeking to mine hardrock minerals on the deep seabed or the Outer Continental Shelf; scientific researchers; people and industries that rely on healthy oceans, such as fisheries, recreation, and aquaculture, and Indigenous communities.
• What changes: No federal licenses or permits for these mining activities, except for scientific research; a comprehensive study of environmental impacts and alternatives.
• When: The limits would begin once the bill becomes law; the Commerce Secretary must seek to start the study within 90 days of enactment.