With growing interest in mining critical metals from the seafloor, countries are now negotiating international rules. The Trump administration is forging ahead on its own, speeding up environmental review for mining the fragile ecosystem.
oceans
Scientists say they have discovered 20 new species deep in the Pacific Ocean
Researchers retrieved reef monitoring devices that had been placed in deep coral reefs in Guam. The devices were placed up to 330 feet below the surface.
Eating just a handful of plastic can be fatal for marine animals, a study finds
Scientists have long known that plastic waste is bad for marine animals. A new study quantifies how little ingested plastic it takes to be a lethal dose.
This company wants to be the first to mine the ocean floor, with Trump’s help
The Metals Company is applying for permission from the Trump administration to mine for nickel and cobalt beneath a remote patch of the Pacific Ocean. Other countries say the minerals aren’t America’s to mine.
U.N. Ocean Conference opens in France as U.S. government scientists stay away
Heads of state, mayors, scientists and policymakers have gathered in France to tackle what is being described as a global emergency facing the world’s seas.
The U.S. takes a step towards allowing mining on the ocean floor, a fragile ecosystem
President Trump signed an order Thursday aimed at making it easier for companies to mine the ocean floor. Scientists and environmental groups say it could harm a fragile ecosystem.
What does the shark say? Click, click, click
Scientists in New Zealand believe they may have the first-ever recording of a shark making noise.
Humpback whales make custom fishing nets – out of bubbles
To target the tiny prey they depend on, humpbacks have developed a way of trapping them with nets made out of bubbles. A new study shows exactly how they do it.


