* panel description and paper abstracts in the attachment.
Chaired by: Childs, J. & Carver Lancaster, R.
Panel description The depletion of onshore minerals, alongside technological advances, has led to a resurgence of interest in the exploration and exploitation of reserves located in the seabed. Concurrently, global and national discourses of the blue economy and blue growth speak of the development potential of seabed mining as a viable industry (Winder and Le Heron 2017: UNECA 2016). This session, therefore, seeks to critically engage with the emerging geo(-)politics of seabed mining. Many uncertainties pertain to marine-based mining, complicated by legislative ambiguity and the complex (geo)physical nature of the sea and proposed operations. These extractive projects also have the potential to conflict with traditional actors in the marine sphere including, but not limited to, artisanal and industrial fishing. This panel will explore the emerging politics and geopolitical challenges of seabed mining, contributing to related debates on ensuing contestations, rights and governance.
Into the abyss: the geopolitics of deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea (Film screening and discussion) John Childs 'Towards effective protection of the marine environment and equitable benefit-sharing in the Area: fact or fairytale?'. (paper presentation) Klaas Willaert Shaping frontiers: Seabed mining in Namibia’s EEZ (paper presentation) Rosanna Carver
Deep Sea Mining and the Blue Economy: conflicting values, competing discourses and social license. Michelle Voyer, Judith van Leeuwen
