When we think of the Dominican Republic, it is common that the first thing that comes to mind is paradise: rhythm, flavor, and a country where sun, sand, and sea combine to offer unforgettable experiences to millions of Dominican families and travelers from all over the world.
But what some may rarely think of is the country’s deep sea and its critical importance.
So what do we really know about the Dominican Deep Ocean?
For Jonathan Delance, Director of Conservation of the National 30×30 Program of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dominican marine ecosystems are “one of the greatest natural and strategic riches of the country”. They are diverse, highly connected, and fundamental to national life.
From an ecological standpoint, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, dunes, beaches, pelagic zones, and deep-sea ecosystems sustain biodiversity. From an economic and social standpoint, they are the foundation of tourism, fishing, and coastal protection.
Delance said relevant research has been conducted in the country, but despite this progress, information remains limited. He confirmed that part of the available studies on Dominican deep waters has had a geophysical, geochemical, or geological focus, rather than an ecological one. This is largely because deep-sea research is expensive, complex, and requires specialized technology, such as remotely operated vehicles, acoustic equipment, deep-sea cameras, and highly specific taxonomic capabilities.
Precisely because of these limitations, for a long time the National System of Protected Areas lacked a clear representation of deep ecosystems and their underwater geomorphologies. He added that this gap began to close with the inclusion of the Beata Underwater Ridge as a conservation object within the Orlando Jorge Mera Marine Sanctuary, representing a relevant step forward for the country.
As part of the scientific basis for this process, Delance said that the technical report on deep-sea fauna documented research between 900 and 4,200 meters deep, recording 1,855 biological observations and 3,294 organisms. One of the most interesting finds was 148 morphospecies, defined in the book Marine Biodiversity as a “group of specimens that can be distinguished from others on the basis of morphological characteristics”, including poriferans, cnidarians, echinoderms, chordates, arthropods, annelids, mollusks, and other yet undetermined organisms.
Additionally, the Dominican expert added that in the pelagic fauna expedition conducted in 2024, 2,771 kilometers were covered, and six species of cetaceans, 15 species of birds, sharks, and turtle routes were identified; environmental DNA resulted in the identification of species (more than 400 morphospecies) along the entire food chain, demonstrating the health and complexity of this space.
Delance said that despite these advances, important gaps still persist: “we need more information on taxonomic identification at the species level, genetic connectivity, oceanographic dynamics, seasonal distribution, cumulative impacts, biogeography of deep species, and the response of these ecosystems to underwater disturbances, climate change, and other pressures”.
What is Deep-Sea Mining?
According to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), deep-sea mining refers to the extraction of mineral resources from deposits located on the deep seabed, typically found between 400 meters and 6.5 kilometers beneath the ocean surface.
There are three primary types of mineral deposits: polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides, and cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts.
Polymetallic nodules were discovered on 7 March 1873 during the Challenger expedition. They were described by scientists as ‘several peculiar black oval bodies which were composed of almost pure manganese oxide.’ The ISA states that polymetallic nodules are composed of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), silicates, and hydroxides, and they can be as small as micro-nodules to even 20 centimetres, and are more commonly found on the west coast of Mexico in the Pacific, also known as the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, the Central Indian Ocean Basin, and the Peru Basin. Even though polymetallic nodules can be found in lakes, the ones with more economic relevance are located in 4,000-6,000 meters depths in areas of extremely low sedimentation rate.
Polymetallic sulphides were first discovered in 1948 as part of the Swedish Albatross oceanographic expedition in the Red Sea. Later, in 1963 and 1966, scientists also found metalliferous muds and brines in the Red Sea Rift System. They contain large amounts of copper, zinc, lead, iron, silver and gold.
Cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts are found at depths ranging from less than 400 meters to more than 5,000 meters, mainly in areas with strong volcanic activity. These crusts are generally similar to polymetallic nodules in their composition. However, they are attracting interest from mining companies because they can contain relatively high amounts of cobalt (up to 2%), as well as platinum, rare earth elements, nickel, and manganese.
But what are the main areas of interest and contractors?
ISA identifies on its website that they “entered into 15-year contracts for the exploration for polymetallic nodules (PMN), polymetallic sulphides (PMS) and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts (CFC) in the deep seabed with 22 contractors.”
As of 2025, the International Seabed Authority has issued 32 exploration contracts to 22 contractors across the deep seabed. Most of these cover polymetallic nodules, the mineral deposits found in areas such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The remaining contracts are split between polymetallic sulphides (8) and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts (5). Contractors range from national governments, including South Korea, India, Poland and Russia, to research institutes and private companies; a small number, such as South Korea, India and China’s Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association, hold contracts across more than one deposit type, while the majority hold only a single contract.
Exploration Contracts, International Seabed Authority
The Dominican Republic’s Position Before the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on Deep-Sea Mining
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which opened for signature in Montego Bay in 1982 and entered into force in 1994, establishes the overarching legal framework governing ocean space, marine scientific research and environmental protection. A central component of the Convention is the definition of “the Area”, the seabed and ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. UNCLOS declares the Area and its resources to be the “common heritage of mankind” and established the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to administer these resources and regulate their exploration and eventual exploitation.
Between 2020 and 2025, the Dominican Republic had an active participation in the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an autonomous international organisation established under UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement, with a formal relationship agreement with the United Nations, headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.
At the ISA Assembly (ISBA28) in July 2023, Edward Pérez Reyes, who was the Dominican permanent representative to the organization, presented the Dominican Republic’s position on deep-sea mining. Although on that occasion he recognized the importance of these minerals for the energy transition, the country advocated for a Precautionary Pause until there is a solid legal framework and sufficient scientific evidence to guarantee the protection of marine ecosystems.
In addition, he proposed promoting sustainable alternatives, the circular economy, and recycling, as well as ensuring an equitable distribution of benefits and strengthening the management of marine resources.
“The Dominican Republic was never against the International Seabed Authority or the process outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Quite the opposite. We always understood that the international community’s effort to regulate the exploration and eventual exploitation of the seabed was a legitimate exercise. Before that legal framework existed, the risk was that countries with the technological capacity to do so would act on their own. The Convention came precisely to prevent that and to establish common rules for everyone. So, the discussion was about something else. The question was whether the international community was already in a position to move from exploration to commercial exploitation. Our impression was that it was not yet,” explained Pérez Reyes, current Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Japan.
In an interview with Raíz Climática, he said that the Dominican Republic’s position was never to halt the process. It was to allow science to keep advancing and for the Authority to finish building the regulatory framework that the Convention itself had mandated it to develop.
Likewise, he indicated that this position was the result of an inter-institutional reflection process involving the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the National Authority for Maritime Affairs (ANAMAR), the Directorate of Environment, Science, and Technology of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Directorate of Multilateral Policy, and the Permanent Mission to the International Seabed Authority. Each institution contributed from its area of competence, and naturally, the Ministry of Environment played a very important role due to the nature of the discussions.
Pérez Reyes summarized his experience with a phrase that runs through the entire debate: “Every time we learned of a new research study, we ended up thinking that there was still much more to know. And that led us back to the same reflection: we had to continue researching before deciding such great consequence. That feeling stayed with me practically the entire time I was at the Authority,” said the diplomat, who served as Vice President of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) twice.
“If I had to participate in that process again today, I would start exactly the same way. I would once again listen to the state’s technical institutions, review all available scientific evidence, and, from that exercise of reflection, we would build the position that best responded to the national interest. The principles that guided that position still seem valid to me. What can always change is the information on which decisions are made. If science provides new elements, a responsible state has to analyze them,” added Pérez Reyes.
For Jonathan Delance, scientific exploration of the deep sea is necessary to better understand these ecosystems before considering any form of utilization. In his view, the Dominican Republic still lacks key information, such as biodiversity baselines, bathymetric and geomorphological maps, data on vulnerable species, ecological connectivity, oceanographic processes, environmental risks, and the resilience of ecosystems.
Therefore, he believes that the Dominican stance in favor of a precautionary pause in deep-sea mining responds to the need to first generate sufficient scientific evidence to properly plan, regulate, and protect these spaces.
Delance warned that if deep-sea ecosystems are not protected, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean could lose still-unknown biodiversity, genetic resources of potential scientific value, migratory corridors, and essential habitats for threatened species. In this regard, he argued that the country must move toward marine spatial planning to balance conservation and the sustainable use of these strategic ecosystems.
Dominican Environmental Groups Raise Opposition
The Magua Ecological Foundation, an organization committed to environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, and the sustainable use of natural resources, categorically disapproves of deep-sea mining in the Dominican Republic, warning that the impacts could be severe and irreversible.
Its president, Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez, said that deep-sea mining represents a significant threat to marine ecosystems, whose biological richness and ecological value are fundamental to the well-being of present and future generations.
The organization warned that this activity could lead to habitat destruction, species loss, pollution, and disruption of ecological processes, potentially causing irreversible environmental damage, such as the release of metals and other polluting substances into the marine environment.
“In an island nation like the Dominican Republic, whose seas support extraordinary biodiversity and are essential for activities such as fishing, tourism, scientific research, and the protection of coastal communities, the risks associated with deep-sea mining far outweigh any potential economic benefits,” he stressed.
The Foundation also reaffirmed the precautionary principle as a fundamental pillar of environmental management. “As long as scientific uncertainties persist regarding the consequences of this activity and there are no guarantees that it can be carried out without causing irreparable damage, it is essential to prioritize the conservation of our marine ecosystems.”
Lastly, the Foundation calls upon authorities, the private sector, the scientific community, and society in general to strengthen the protection of our oceans, promote public policies based on the best available scientific evidence, and commit to truly sustainable development models.
At the same time, Sixto Inchaustegui, president of Grupo Jaragua, another NGO in the Dominican Republic that works for the sustainable management of biodiversity, said that the country does not know where deep-sea mining activities could take place along its coasts. However, he argues that the Dominican Republic’s continental shelf is very narrow and that the country relies heavily on marine and coastal ecosystem services, including tourism, fisheries, and protection against hurricanes. These ecosystems are already highly threatened and degraded due to land-use changes, mangrove loss, erosion, overfishing, coral mortality, pollution, and other pressures, all of which are being exacerbated by climate change.
For these reasons, Grupo Jaragua does not support deep-sea mining.
New Representative to the ISA
On July 14, Ambassador Nancy Patricia Franjul Pérez presented her credentials as the new Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the ISA during a ceremony, where she was received by Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho at the headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. The new Permanent Representative brings more than 20 years of experience in public service and diplomacy to her role.
During the ceremony, Franjul Pérez reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to ongoing negotiations to develop a solid, transparent, and science-based regulatory framework on the exploitation of mineral resources in the Area. She emphasized that the Dominican Republic recognizes the critical role of the ISA at a time when the international community seeks to balance resource security, marine environmental protection, technological development, and the equitable distribution of benefits.
In accepting the credentials, ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho acknowledged that the Dominican Republic has maintained a “strong and consistent track record of collaboration with the ISA,” including through the contribution of Juan Luis González Minaya, who currently serves as a member of the Legal and Technical Commission, and also through the participation of Dominican citizens in the ISA’s capacity-building programs.
In a press release published on the ISA portal, the Secretary-General said she looks forward to continuing the dialogue with the Dominican Republic, “including on the draft exploitation regulations and the wider work of the Authority, in a spirit of transparency, environmental responsibility, and respect” for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Future of Dominican Marine Protection
In 2024, the Dominican Republic became the first Caribbean country to surpass one of the targets of the global environmental commitment known as 30×30, protecting 30.8% of its waters.
However, the challenge now is not solely to declare new protected areas, but to ensure they have effective management, Delance explained. Currently, more than 90% of the protected marine area has management plans, a fundamental tool to guide conservation, regulate permitted uses, monitor ecosystems, and support decision-making within these areas.
Looking to the future, efforts must focus on: Moving toward effective protection by strengthening monitoring and technological surveillance, regulating maritime traffic, developing national scientific capacity, and generating more research on deep ecosystems
The Dominican Republic will participate alongside Colombia in a scientific mission belonging to the inaugural program of the REV Ocean, the world’s largest ocean research vessel. The Dominican Environment Ministry says the inaugural REV Ocean programme will conduct the Beata Ridge mission in 2027, focused on deep ecosystems, biodiversity and ecological connectivity.
The expedition will allow for the study of the deep ecosystems of the Beata Underwater Ridge, generate information on its biodiversity and ecological connectivity, and assess potential threats to strengthen ocean conservation and management.
Additionally, the country will initiate a marine spatial planning process covering both protected and unprotected areas, enabling better organization of ocean uses and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
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This story was originally published by Raiz Climatica, with support from the Caribbean Deep-Sea Mining Media Fellowship, a joint venture between Climate Tracker Caribbean, Jamaica Environment Trust, Rise Up for the Ocean, and EcoVybz Environmental Creatives.
