Greenpeace protest in Stroud against deep sea mining

Carrying home-made banners, the protestors joined others in Gloucester Docks and Sharpness on Sunday to demand the Government protect the ocean floor and wildlife.

This forms the latest part of Greenpeace Stroud Group’s campaign to protect the oceans, following online screenings of Ocean Witness and a co-ordinated Tweeting campaign aimed at Foreign Office Minister Zac Goldsmith to lobby for a Global Ocean Treaty.

“The deep sea might seem a world away from Stroud, but in the year that the UK hosts the UN climate negotiations, we have a chance to prevent the needless destruction of our oceans,” said volunteer Sally Hilliard, from Stroud, who helped take photos of the protest.

“We’re sending a message to the UK Government that they need to take ocean protection seriously, and end their support for deep sea mining.”

Greenpeace Stroud Group demonstrate outside the Subscription Rooms on Sunday

The news comes as Greenpeace activists protest ocean mining around the world. In the Pacific Ocean they displayed a banner in front of a ship chartered by DeepGreen - a company involved in the drive to mine the ocean floor, Greenpeace said.

Volunteers simultaneously carried out a peaceful protest in San Diego, USA, targeting a ship chartered by Belgian company Global Sea Mineral Resources.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, deep sea mining can alter or destroy deep-sea habitats, leading to the loss of species that do not live anywhere else on the planet.

Whales, tuna and sharks could be affected by noise, vibrations and light pollution caused by mining equipment and surface vessels, as well as potential leaks and spills of fuel and toxic products.

Plumes of fine silt, clay and the remains of microorganisms, could create plumes of suspended particles that could smother animals or harm filter-feeding species that depend on clear, clean water such as krill and whale sharks.

Ms Hilliard said: “Rather than a handful of companies exploiting the deep sea for profit, we need to prioritize reusing resources and moving to a sustainable, circular economy. I don’t want the phone I use, the battery in my electric car, or the chips in my computer to be there as a result of damage to such a precious and beautiful ecosystem.”