Deep-Sea Mining: Prospects and Environmental Concerns

Deep-sea mining promises valuable resources but raises significant environmental concerns and risks to marine ecosystems.

### The Complex Interplay of Ocean Resources and Sustainability
* 🌊 From deep-sea mining to sponge diving, people worldwide depend on the ocean for their livelihoods, with potential **billions of tons of valuable nodules** lying on the seafloor.
* 🚢 The Metals Company, a Canadian startup, claims to have completed the **largest deep-sea mining haul**, but environmental activists warn of the **risks associated with such operations**.
* 🔍 Critics argue that deep-sea mining could harm **unknown ecosystems**, with hundreds of experts calling for a **pause until more research is conducted** on the impact of **sediment clouds and noise**.
* 🌱 Polymetallic nodules, which take **millions of years to form**, are located in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an area where **nearly 20 companies are vying to start deep-sea mining**.
* ⚖ Gerard Barron, CEO of the Metals Company, believes that deep-sea mining could be less damaging than land mining, asserting that "**we generate zero waste and zero tailings**."
* 🌐 However, the debate continues, with activists emphasizing that mining always has trade-offs, and the best approach is to **start small and study the effects thoroughly**.
* 🏝 Meanwhile, in Florida, sponge divers face their own challenges, as **climate change and economic pressures** threaten their centuries-old industry, which still generates **millions in revenue through tourism**.
* ♻ Ultimately, both deep-sea mining and sponge diving exemplify the need for **sustainable practices** to balance **economic needs with environmental preservation**, as the world seeks to transition to **renewable energy sources**.

### Life at Sea: The Rigorous Operations of Cruise Ships and Sustainable Seafood Practices
* ⛴ Chefs on cruise ships work long hours, often between **10 to 12 hours a day**, with contracts lasting **four months and no days off**, to serve nearly **100 different menus weekly** to diverse international passengers.
* 🍽 The cooking takes place in **36 kitchens**, with the main dining room accommodating **up to 6,000 guests each night**, while the ship's butcher shop processes about **15,000 pounds of beef** and **9,700 pounds of chicken weekly**.
* 🦞 Lobster is a popular dish, with around **2,100 pounds consumed weekly**, and chefs prepare a variety of desserts and breads from scratch, including **40 different types of bread**.
* ♻ Waste management on board is crucial, as the cruise industry faces scrutiny over pollution; Symphony of the Seas employs **advanced technology to recycle waste**, aiming to be a **zero-landfill ship**.
* 🌊 All food waste is processed through a hydro-processor, while wastewater is treated to meet federal standards before being released into the ocean, producing **150,000 liters of drinkable water per hour**.
* 🎭 Performers on cruise ships, like aerialists, work tirelessly for **11 months without vacation**, adapting their routines to the challenges of performing on a **moving stage in varying weather conditions**.
* 🦪 The demand for specialty seafood like gamtae and gooseneck barnacles is rising, with gamtae fetching **higher prices** due to its **labor-intensive harvesting** and **unique flavor**, while gooseneck barnacles are valued for their **taste** and **limited availability**.
* 💰 The pearl lobster, found in Indonesian waters, is one of the **most expensive seafoods**, with prices fluctuating based on demand and season, leading to **illegal smuggling and significant economic implications** for local fisheries.

### The Complexities of Underwater Work and Traditional Crafts in Indonesia
* 🌊 Underwater welders like Suhendra are in high demand in Indonesia due to significant investments in the petrochemical industry, including a **$39 billion plant** that will require **extensive underwater infrastructure**.
* 👨 Suhendra's departure for a four-month assignment is particularly challenging as he leaves his **14-year-old son, Yusuf, in charge of the family**, highlighting the **personal sacrifices** these workers make.
* ⚡ The welding process involves attaching sacrificial anodes to iron pillars, a task fraught with danger due to the **risk of electric shock in the water**, making it one of the deadliest jobs, with divers being **40 times more likely to die** than average workers.
* 💔 The environmental impact of expanding petrochemical plants raises concerns, as Indonesia is already the **fourth-most polluted country**, and the construction of these facilities may **exacerbate pollution issues** while promising **economic benefits**.
* 🏖 In contrast, traditional salt farming in Kusamba, Bali, faces challenges from modern economic pressures, as farmers like Nengah struggle to **maintain their craft amidst declining interest and competition from better-paying jobs**.
* 🐚 The meticulous process of harvesting Tyrian purple dye from murex snails illustrates the **labor-intensive nature of traditional crafts**, with only a gram of pure dye requiring **45 kilograms of snails**, making it **incredibly rare and expensive**.
* 🌍 While the government promotes investments for job creation, local communities often prioritize **immediate economic needs over environmental sustainability**, indicating a complex interplay between **tradition, modernity, and survival**.
* 📈 The stories of underwater welders and traditional artisans underscore the broader themes of **environmental degradation**, **economic disparity**, and the **struggle to preserve cultural heritage** in a rapidly changing world.

12 Deep Sea Jobs Around the World | Business Insider Marathon | Business Insider

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Business Insider

The Controversial Rise of Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining for valuable nodules is gaining traction, with a Canadian startup, the Metals Company, making the world's largest haul yet.

The company's CEO claims deep-sea mining is less damaging than land mining, but environmental activists argue against it, calling for a pause until the ecosystem can be studied further.

The mining process involves remotely operated vehicles collecting nodules from the seabed, with the company aiming to scale up operations and build processing centers powered by renewable energy.

The Impact of Deep-Sea Mining and Sponge Diving

Deep-sea mining poses a threat to marine life by removing nodules that provide habitat for creatures on the seafloor.

Land-based mining has a history of causing human rights abuses and environmental damage, but some operations are managed better than others.

Sponge diving in Florida has a long history, but the industry is struggling due to hurricanes and high fuel costs, while also facing challenges in the past and bouncing back.

The Struggles of Tarpon Springs' Sponge Industry and Ocean Cleanup Efforts

The sponge population in Tarpon Springs has faced multiple crises, including disease and red tides, but has survived and thrived at times.

However, record inflation, fuel prices, and climate change have made the industry increasingly challenging, with only a few boats and divers operating now.

Meanwhile, The Ocean Cleanup is working to remove plastic from the ocean by deploying Interceptors in rivers, aiming to tackle the issue at its source and ultimately clean the world's most polluted waterways.

Innovative Solutions for Plastic Pollution

The Ocean Cleanup is using a unique Interceptor fence to catch plastic in river flash-flood zones, with plans for an updated version by the end of 2023.

The nonprofit is also working on cleaning the North Pacific Gyre with a flexible barrier between two ships, claiming to have removed over 200 metric tons of plastic so far.

The organization's approach has faced criticism for potentially disrupting marine life, but they are continually fine-tuning their methods and targeting clusters of trash for more effective cleanup.

The bridge handles navigation, while the engine room provides power with six giant engines and unique propellers.

The ship's design features distinct neighborhoods and multiple pools to control passenger flow and prevent overcrowding.

The culinary team of over 1,000 staff members runs the ship's kitchens 24/7, serving over 30,000 meals daily and using a $1 million weekly food budget.

The Intensive Culinary Operation on a Cruise Ship

Chefs on the ship work long hours in a rotating schedule, cooking nearly 100 different menus each week to cater to the diverse international passengers.

The food preparation takes place in 36 kitchens, with the main dining room serving up to 6,000 people a night.

The ship has implemented a zero-landfill policy, using advanced technology for waste management and recycling, while also processing a significant amount of glass and plastic for disposal.

Waste Management and Sustainability on Cruise Ships

Cruise ships rely on bottled water due to health regulations, crushing 528 gallons of bottles weekly.

The ship's waste, including cardboard and aluminum cans, is compressed and stored for recycling, with Royal Caribbean recycling 43.

The ship's food waste is processed and incinerated, while wastewater is purified and discharged at sea, with the ship's filtration system producing 150,000 liters of drinkable water every hour.

The Demanding Life of a Cruise Ship Performer and the Unique Harvesting of Gamtae

Performers on a cruise ship, like Mazz, work tirelessly with no vacation days, doing eight shows a week and facing the challenges of performing at sea.

The complex flying mechanism and unpredictable weather conditions add to the difficulty of their routine.

Meanwhile, gamtae, a rare seaweed in South Korea, is harvested by hand from wild mudflats, making its supply unpredictable and contributing to its high price.

The Unique Harvesting and Processing of Gamtae

Gamtae is harvested from December to March, with its delicate texture and pungent flavor making it more expensive than nori seaweed.

The unpredictable supply and rising sea temperatures have led Ju-hyeon to buy gamtae from local fishermen.

Badasoop, Ju-hyeon's company, has successfully carved out a market for gamtae by promoting it to high-end restaurants worldwide, resulting in a rise in demand and prices since 2020.

The Dangerous Art of Barnacle Harvesting and the Value of Pearl Lobsters

Barnacle harvesting is a skilled and risky job, with workers needing to trust each other while navigating dangerous tides and rocky spots.

The most prized barnacles are difficult to remove and have a limited marketable yield, leading to strict harvesting regulations.

Pearl lobsters, found primarily in Indonesia, are rare and expensive, with a unique breeding method used to ensure a reliable supply.

The Lobster Farming Industry in Indonesia

Lobster breeders in Indonesia work hard to protect their lobsters, which have become a valuable resource for the country's fisheries.

The government has banned the export of lobster larvae to strengthen the farming industry and protect wild populations, but illegal smuggling attempts continue.

The high demand for pearl lobsters, driven by restaurants and hotels, has led to fluctuating prices and has raised concerns for the livelihoods of those dependent on the industry.

The Impact of Petrochemical Plants and Salt Farming in Indonesia

Petrochemicals are projected to drive half of the global oil demand growth by 2050, leading to a rush in plastic production and causing environmental controversy in the US.

In Indonesia, petrochemical plants contribute to severe pollution and human rights issues, with the country struggling to enforce greenhouse gas emission laws.

Meanwhile, traditional salt farming in Bali faces challenges from coastal erosion and economic instability, but the farmers continue to preserve their ancestral business through manual labor and traditional techniques.

The Impact of Weather and Competition on Salt Production and Pearl Farming in Indonesia

Bad weather and coastal changes have negatively affected salt production in Kusamba, where farmers compete with Indonesia's annual import of 2 million tons of cheaper salt.

The farmers' palung-dried salt is sold at a premium, making it a luxury item, and they have turned to tourism for additional income.

Meanwhile, pearl farming in the South Sea involves a lengthy and complex process, with only a small percentage of oysters producing the most valuable pearls, leading to intense competition and high costs for the farmers.

The Value and Challenges of Sea Urchin Harvesting

Riana took nine years to source AAA-grade pearls, selling a necklace for $36,000, while relying on farmers for high-quality pearls.

Sea urchins, hand-harvested by divers, have a high market value due to their gonads, with a 200-gram tray costing $100.

The explosion of purple sea urchins, due to the decline of their predator, has disrupted the ecosystem and made it harder for divers to find red urchins with good gonads.

The Labor-Intensive Process of Sea Urchin Gonad Extraction and Tyrian Purple Dye Production

The process of extracting sea urchin gonads involves cracking each urchin, cleaning the gonads with meticulous attention to detail, and sorting them by color for uniformity.

The most valuable gonads, from sweeter male urchins, are graded and sold for premium prices, with the demand driving their rarity.

Meanwhile, the production of Tyrian purple dye from murex snail glands is a complex and labor-intensive process, making the dye extremely rare and expensive, with a single gram fetching nearly $3,000.

The process of making Tyrian purple dye starts with drying murex snail glands, which lose 98% of their weight before being purified and transformed into a small amount of pure extract.

Sourcing the snails is challenging and expensive, requiring experienced fishers like Slim Ben Miled, who faces difficult conditions and a declining snail population due to climate change.

Ghassen, the dye maker, uses a careful process to extract the dye and is dedicated to reviving Tunisia's ancient dye-making tradition while offering a range of shades.