Seabed Mining Ban Moves Forward to Protect Marine Life

Greenland’s parliament has unanimously voted to protect the island’s marine ecosystems by advancing legislation to ban deep-sea mining and seabed exploration until at least 2029.

The resolution, passed on 15 October 2026, reflects lawmakers’ shared commitment to safeguard marine biodiversity and preserve fish populations. Commercial fisheries are a cornerstone of Greenland’s economy, making healthy marine habitats particularly important for local communities.

The proposed legislation is expected to be adopted in the first half of 2027 and would establish a moratorium lasting until at least the end of 2029, with the option to extend it in two-year increments. Greenland has issued no new extraction licences since 2021. The unanimous decision marks a significant step towards long-term ocean conservation and sustainable management of the island’s marine resources.