Elizabeth Claire Alberts
@elizabethalberts.bsky.social
Senior staff writer at Mongabay. Talk to me about anything related to the ocean. elizabeth@mongabay.com.
Can coastal engineering protect shorelines and harbor marine life? Ireland's first Living Seawalls installation is tracking how textured panels help nature gain a foothold on urban coastlines. Learn more in this report by @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for #Mongabay. 👉️ mongabay.cc/YshXuM
As the US prepares to auction off federal seabed plots, experts warn existing regulations are outdated and unfit. Revisions intended to streamline leasing may actually weaken environmental reviews and restrict public input for the deep-sea mining sector. @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports.
Experts say ‘bare bones’ US laws are unfit to regulate nascent deep-sea mining industry
This is part 2 of a two-part series examining the U.S.’s efforts to begin deep-sea mining in federal waters. Part 2 examines the regulations that would govern the industry. Part 1 explored the…
mongabay.cc
Excellent overview of regulation and other issues surrounding deep-sea mining, which could cause large-scale and irreversible damage to marine environment. @mongabay.com @elizabethalberts.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2026/06/expe...
Experts say ‘bare bones’ US laws are unfit to regulate nascent deep-sea mining industry
This is part 2 of a two-part series examining the U.S.’s efforts to begin deep-sea mining in federal waters. Part 2 examines the regulations that would govern the industry. Part 1 explored the process...
news.mongabay.com
🚨 Experts suggest the #US framework for regulating #DeepSeaMining is basically being written on the back of a napkin. 🌊📝 If the safeguards are bare-bones before it even starts, imagine the oversight once the machines hit the seabed. 🌍🐙 @mongabay.com @elizabethalberts.bsky.social
Experts say ‘bare bones’ US laws are unfit to regulate nascent deep-sea mining industry
This is part 2 of a two-part series examining the U.S.’s efforts to begin deep-sea mining in federal waters. Part 2 examines the regulations that would govern the industry. Part 1 explored the process...
news.mongabay.com
After extreme thermal stress and runoff caused mass soft coral "slumping" in 2024, researchers are monitoring South Korea's Jeju Island. Die-offs have stalled so far in 2026, but an upcoming Super El Niño threatens a repeat of the ecological disaster. @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports.
‘Slumping’ afflicted soft corals around a South Korean island in 2024. Will it return this year?
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea — In April 2025, I zipped myself up into a thick wetsuit and inched down a steep, rocky ledge toward the gray-blue water encircling Beomseom, a small island off the southern…
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The Trump administration's proposed budget would cut $1 billion from NOAA, threatening long-term data sets and species protection. Experts warn targeted cuts to fisheries and climate research will disrupt monitoring, even as funding rises for deep-sea mining. @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports.
Fisheries and climate research would be hit hard in Trump’s proposed budget
Physicist Stephen Volz had been working with colleagues at the U.S.’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for nearly 10 years to produce a new generation of geostationary satellites —…
mongabay.cc
A joint investigation by Mongabay, @cnn.com, and @pulitzercenter.org sheds light on the scale of China’s deep-sea research fleet and reveals it overlaps with military operations. Learn how @elizabethalberts.bsky.social and Kara Fox built this investigation that takes a deep look at the ocean floor.
How we tracked China’s deep-sea mining fleet
A version of this story was originally published by the Pulitzer Center, which supported Elizabeth Claire Alberts as an Ocean Reporting Network fellow. We didn’t set out to investigate China’s…
mongabay.cc
Scientists have found one of the world’s largest cold-water coral reefs deep off Argentina. Home to dozens of species new to science, the reef already shows signs damage. Researchers are now testing "artificial corals" to help restore this fragile ecosystem. @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports.
One of the world’s largest deep-sea coral reefs discovered off Argentina
Biologist Erik Cordes has spent much of his career studying cold-water reefs — coral systems typically found in chilly, dark waters far below the ocean’s surface. But his latest project took him by…
mongabay.cc
The ocean has reached a 10% protection milestone, but hitting the global 30% target by 2030 requires protecting an area the size of the Indian Ocean in just four years. Experts warn that progress must accelerate to secure our marine future. @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay.
10% of the ocean is protected. Now just 20% more to go
More than 10% of the world’s ocean is now protected to some degree, marking significant progress in global ocean conservation efforts, according to an Apr. 1. annoucement from the U.N. Environment…
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Many experts say deep-sea mining will cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. Yet the race to exploit the seabed is accelerating. Right now, China is one of the biggest players in this race. It holds multiple exploration contracts and has a fleet of research vessels to survey the seabed.🧵
@elizabethalberts.bsky.social and @karadaniellefox.bsky.social found that eight Chinese ships operated in strange navigation patterns and even went “dark”. Some experts claim they might be looking for the submarine's signature sound. Explore this story, supported by @pulitzercenter.org.
China’s deep-sea mining fleet may also track US submarines
A Mongabay and CNN investigation found the eight Chinese state-owned ships that conduct deep-sea mining research in China’s mining areas allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) actually…
mongabay.cc
Chinese deep-sea mining research ships spent more time in strategic waters than deep-sea mining areas & may be "more interested in mining military intelligence than minerals." Maybe Trump should think twice about opening Pandora's box.. @elizabethalberts.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
China’s deep-sea mining fleet may also track US submarines
A Mongabay and CNN investigation found the eight Chinese state-owned ships that conduct deep-sea mining research in China’s mining areas allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) actually ...
news.mongabay.com
Why are Chinese state-owned deep-sea mining vessels outside research zones? #Mongabay and @cnn.com analyzed the routes these ships took for the past five years and found them navigating close to key U.S. military territory. Experts believed they might be serving a dual-purpose.
China’s deep-sea mining fleet may also track US submarines
A Mongabay and CNN investigation found the eight Chinese state-owned ships that conduct deep-sea mining research in China’s mining areas allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) actually…
mongabay.cc
Is China's deep sea mining exploration a front to surveil the US military & even Russia? Terrific investigative reporting by @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com & @cnn.com Chinese vessels spent only 6% of their time in designated mining zones, vs sensitive waters like Guam and Taiwan:
China’s deep-sea mining fleet may also track US submarines
A Mongabay and CNN investigation found the eight Chinese state-owned ships that conduct deep-sea mining research in China’s mining areas allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) actually ...
news.mongabay.com
Very sad to hear about the passing of Kristina Gjerde. news-mongabay-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/news.mon...
Kristina Gjerde, defender of the deep ocean, has died
Half the planet lies outside any country’s border. In those waters, rules have long been thinner than the myths: freedom to fish meant freedom to take; “out of sight” became “out of mind.” The deep oc...
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BOEM opened an RFI on Nov. 12 to gather input on potential deep-sea mining near the Mariana Trench. The comment period closes today. Critics say the RFI was rushed and opaque, and that BOEM failed to consult the CNMI and Guam governments or communities beforehand. news.mongabay.com/2025/12/deep...
Deep-sea mining interests raise alarms among Mariana Trench communities
U.S.-led plans to mine the deep seabed have gained momentum since President Donald Trump signed an executive order that called for the industry’s rapid formation to bolster U.S. national security. One...
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Great summary of what #COP30 delivered for the ocean by @elizabethalberts.bsky.social in @mongabaylatam.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2025/11/cop3...
COP30: What did it deliver for the ocean?
Between Nov. 10 and 21, more than 56,000 delegates, including representatives from nearly 200 nations, gathered in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the U.N...
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TMC once pitched deep-sea mining as a fix for green tech like EVs. Now it's all about U.S. national security. This pivot helped TMC align with U.S. political goals—and brought its mining ambitions closer to reality. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
A sales-pitch pivot brings deep-sea mining closer to reality
Early on, Canada-based The Metals Company cast the rocks it seeks to mine from the deep seafloor as a crucial resource for electric vehicle batteries and other green technologies, positioning them as ...
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The Canadian firm The Metals Company pursue of securing a license to mine in international waters under U.S. jurisdiction appears to be progressing. Yet, many question how smoothly TMC’s plans might unfold. #ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay. bit.ly/3ISsefh
Challenges Persist in TMC’s Bid To Mine the Deep Sea, Even After Boost From Trump
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in...
pulitzercenter.org
TMC’s deep-sea mining push is moving ahead, but critics warn of legal fights, ecological damage, and global backlash. Its ties to controversial past ventures like Nautilus & DSMF raise even more red flags. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social #DeepSeaMining news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Challenges persist in TMC’s bid to mine the deep sea, even after boost from Trump
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in internati...
news.mongabay.com
The U.S. recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining. Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems. Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
U.S. Federal Agency Clears Ways for Deep-Sea Mining — and Companies Are Lining Up
The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining in U.S. waters. The move includes shortened environmental review timelines and....
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BOEM has rolled out policy changes to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. waters — and companies like Impossible Metals, Wetstone, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Transocean are now actively engaging with the agency. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
U.S. federal agency clears ways for deep-sea mining — and companies are lining up
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. On June 25, the United States Department of the Interior (DOI), a department with...
news.mongabay.com
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister is against deep-sea mining, but a provincial governor backs it. Locals near the Solwara 1 site worry about their fisheries and haven’t gotten answers. Read more in a collaboration at @mongabay.com with @elizabethalberts.bsky.social :
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. NICE, France — James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, voiced his…
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"We don’t want any deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea,” PM James Marape told me at UNOC. But in the province of New Ireland, a seabed mining project appears to be going forward. Read my collab with @john-cannon.bsky.social on @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. NICE, France — James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, voiced his g...
news.mongabay.com
Norway’s plans to mine seabed minerals in the Arctic remain in limbo after a licensing round was delayed. Experts warn that environmental impacts must be addressed before deep-sea mining can proceed. Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.bsky.social. bit.ly/42LAbt3
With Deep-Sea Mining Plans in Limbo, Norwegian Companies Fold or Dig In
Norway’s plans to mine seabed minerals in Arctic waters remain in limbo after the first licensing round was delayed in December 2024. However, the government maintains that progress will resume soon.....
pulitzercenter.org
Norwegian deep-sea mining company Loke has gone bankrupt. Other companies are feeling the pressure, but the Norwegian government insists that DSM is still moving ahead. If it does, it won’t be smooth sailing. Environmentalists, fishers, scientists, and politicians are raising serious concerns.
With deep-sea mining plans in limbo, Norwegian companies fold or dig in
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. BERGEN, Norway — It’s been nearly five months since the Norwegian government paus...
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Wild days ahead. Deep-sea miner TMC seeks U.S. approval, potentially bypassing global regulator
Deep-sea miner TMC seeks U.S. approval, potentially bypassing global regulator
Canadian deep-sea mining firm The Metals Company (TMC) has announced it “initiated a process” with U.S. regulators to apply for both exploration and exploitation licenses, potentially circumventing th...
news.mongabay.com
The Spanish government sanctioned 25 of its vessels for illegally turning off their satellite tracking devices while fishing off the coast of Argentina between 2018 and 2021. But this hasn’t stopped the vessels from fishing. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2024/01/spai...
Spain sanctions fishing vessels for illegally ‘going dark’ near Argentine waters
In December, the Spanish government issued sanctions against 25 Spanish-flagged vessels that fished near the border of Argentina’s territorial waters between 2018 and 2021. The sanctions were for re...
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Norway’s parliament has officially voted to allow deep-sea mining to go forward in the Norwegian Sea, despite warnings from scientists and conservationists that it could damage the marine environment. news.mongabay.com/2024/01/real... Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
‘Really a sad day’ as Norway votes to allow deep-sea mining in Arctic waters
Norway’s parliament has officially voted to allow deep-sea mining to go forward in the Norwegian Sea, despite warnings from scientists and conservationists that it could damage the marine environmen...
news.mongabay.com
The U.S. government auctioned off oil and gas drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico despite concerns the move could endanger a newly described and very rare baleen whale known as the Rice’s whale. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/12/u-s-...
U.S. auctions off endangered whale habitat for oil and gas drilling
On Dec. 20, the U.S. government auctioned off oil and gas drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico despite concerns the move could endanger a newly described and very rare baleen whale known as the Rice�...
news.mongabay.com