ZERO repudiates the race open to mining on the high seas

July 16, 2018 – 00: 05h

The PSOEM, in public consultation until July 31, which corresponds to the subdivision of the Continent and the subdivision of the extended Continental Shelf, "is not only far from To achieve the objectives that are proposed, but also opens serious precedents that may jeopardize the balanced and sustainable development of the country and its people, "argues ZERO – Sustainable Terrestrial System Association in a statement

Environmentalists deplore that "despite the proposal of the PSOEM aims to spatialize the different uses and activities in the national maritime area, seeking compatibility," the doc do not spatialize "the uses and impactful activities, it makes little or not compatible and forgets completely the natural values ​​present. "

"Indeed, many areas considered relevant to nature conservation have not even been included as possible," he added to ZERO, noting that "even marine protected areas do not are not even considered as a factor to exclude uses and activities that are clearly incompatible with the safeguarding of natural resources and protected values. "

According to this document," the entire area available is a potential area of "Exploration," paving the way for the full discretion of decisions with all possible legal certainty. "

According to ZERO," the "blue economy" in the context of this PSOEM is nothing less than an implicit promotion of the degradation of the ocean environment in the near future as soon as offshore mining technology is sufficiently developed to be exploited with costs of exploration. "

Environmentalists warn that" there is a missed opportunity to emphasize and strengthen the ecosystem approach and the precautionary approach as a solid foundation for the country. , with its oceanic vocation, to impose it as an example of responsible global ocean governance. "

ZERO also signals the opposite direction Noting that in a legislative proposal backed by the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, the Spanish Executive" predicts that the exploitation of the seabed will be impossible in the waters managed by Spain, as well as the exploitation of oil and gas "