The Deep Sea Mining Campaign, with other environmental NGOs, is asking why the world seems hellbent on mining the ocean floor.
The groups have put out a paper, asking Why the Rush?
The waters around several Pacific nations have been at the forefront of the push to mine rare minerals that mining companies claim can be extracted with minimal damage to the ocean floor.
But the NGOs say so little is known about the impacts that it would be irresponsible to go ahead.
The Campaign's co-ordinator, Helen Rosenbaum, told Don Wiseman there should be a 20 year moratorium on mining, exploration and planning.
Seabed mining Photo: Supplied
