Canada calls for halt to deep-sea mining amid fears of ecological devastation

Country's ministers echo European governments, scientists and environmental organisations in citing need for robust regulation of fledgling sector

Canada has joined a growing list of nations calling for a pause on deep-sea mining in international waters amid fears the nascent, untested industry could cause ecological devastation without further study and clear safeguards.

Three ministers, for the country's foreign affairs, natural resources, and fisheries and oceans departments, issued a statement on Monday that in the absence of both a comprehensive understanding of seabed mining's environmental impacts and a robust regulatory regime", they supported a moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining.