What is deep sea mining? 

The deep sea is the largest biome on Earth. This mysterious and hugely varied place makes up 90% of the marine environment and plays a vital role in regulating our planetary systems. However, the deep sea – and our entire planet – is threatened by the potential commencement of deep-sea mining. Learn more from the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition’s website

 

What are the risks and impacts of offshore oil and gas drilling?

Offshore oil and gas drilling is the commercial extraction and production of oil and gas from beneath the ocean seafloor. This fact sheet from NRDC reviews the significant environmental harm caused by offshore drilling; the risks and impacts to the U.S. economy and communities; and why new drilling is not needed to secure the U.S.  energy supply.

 

David Helvarg (9/1/26): To stop Trump’s pillaging, ‘vote the ocean’ this fall. Guest Contributor, Los Angeles Times (behind a paywall).

A broad overview of the federal administration’s ongoing efforts to undercut ocean policy, science, and coastal protection. David concludes: “Although the Republicans in Congress have almost all bowed completely to the Trump administration rather than representing their constituents’ interests, your choice is still not as simple as voting against one party and in favor of another. You should do your duty as a citizen, educate yourselves on the candidates you get to decide on (local, state and national) and then vote for those good people who understand the links between the ocean’s health and the health of our economies, our cultures and our very lives.” Good advice for Santa Cruz ocean lovers as they enter the polls this November. 

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Quiralo and Charter (2014): Bring back the Gulf. The Ocean Foundation

An in--depth analysis of issues related to the disposition of abandoned offshore oil rigs in U.S. federal waters within the context of the greater national goal of restoring the Gulf of Mexico in the post-BP Deepwater Horizon era. Now over a decade old, this short book provides a robust overview of the scientific, environmental and sociological aspects of drilling for oil and gas in U.S. federal waters that is as relevant today along the California coast as it was in the Gulf of Mexico following the nation’s largest oil disaster in 2010. 

 

Glover et al (2026). The environmental impacts of deep-sea mining. Current Biology

A comprehensive review of the many decades of environmental research in the abyssal region of the eastern Pacific Ocean called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), with a focus on the biodiversity baseline and the results from experimental mining or disturbance tests.

 

Gonzalez Ortiz et al. (2023). An initial spatial conflict analysis for potential deep-sea mining of marine minerals in U.S. Federal Waters. Frontiers in Marine Science

A first-ever geospatial analysis identifying potential spatial conflicts between marine biodiversity, ocean uses and a potential future deep sea mining industry in U.S. federal waters (including off the California coast) that have been deemed prospective mineral occurrence regions by the U.S.Geological Survey.  

 

California bans seabed mining in state waters (2022)

In 2022, California enacted the Seabed Mining Prevention Act (AB 1832), after the bill received unanimous and bipartisan support in the state legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature. AB 1832 prevents seabed mining for hard minerals in state waters that extend from shore to three nautical miles out, however this bill has no impact on federal waters from 3-200 miles offshore that are currently at risk from the Trump Administration.

 

Major Coastal Spills in California History (Orange County Coastkeeper)

A detailed timeline of the major oil spills in California history that impacted the coast, influenced how Californians feel about the fossil fuel industry, and influenced how California decision makers have regulated the industry ever since.