Seabed Mining is a Bad Idea for the East Coast
In June 2026, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) launched a comment period on a proposed seabed mining lease off of the coast of Virginia. We covered this in our first blog in this series, which you can learn about here. Seabed mining off the coast of Virginia is a bad idea not only for the security of Virginia’s coasts and coastal communities, but also for the entire Eastern Seaboard.
The proposed area will not just impact Virginia alone, but could impact the entire Mid-Atlantic ocean economy to which Virginia's waters belong. This economy includes marine resources, fisheries, and coastal industries across Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. These states represent over 46,000 establishments, 690,000 jobs, and $61.7 billion in GDP from Living Resources and Tourism and Recreation. The economics alone clearly demonstrate that the Eastern Seaboard is home to robust marine ecosystems and coastal communities dependent upon the health of their oceans.
The Full Costs Must be Considered
Odyssey Marine Exploration, the company seeking to lease the waters for seabed mining, says the heavy minerals off of Virginia's coast are critical to bolster an array of national defense mechanisms (these claims are dubious). However, any potential gains must also be measured against the potential losses associated with their plan. BOEM and Odyssey must ask if the $61.7 billion GDP tourism and recreation economy is worth jeopardizing for Odyssey’s ambiguous economic projections. Seabed mining may produce economic benefits, but the costs cannot be understated.
Recent onshore mining industry activity along the Eastern Seaboard supports concerns that additional offshore areas will be leased off of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast coasts. For example, Brunswick County, North Carolina, is currently being considered to host the U.S.’s first critical minerals processing facility of its kind. This move could reflect both industry interest in East Coast waters and long-term investment in seabed mining infrastructure. The extent of the associated consequences are also uncertain because commercial seabed mining has never been done at scale in the U.S.. Seabed mining for mineral extraction is a destructive dredging process which will lead to significant long-term impacts to marine ecosystems, fisheries industries, and coastal communities:
Impacts to Marine Ecosystems
The most immediate consequences of seabed mining will be to local marine ecosystems. The marine environment off of Virginia's coast is host to a vibrant community of organisms, from migrating whales and sea turtles to small critters that spend their entire life on the seafloor. The dredging process can alter seafloor characteristics for decades, and directly harm and remove benthic wildlife. Virginia’s benthic organisms uphold the vitality of its marine ecosystems by cycling essential nutrients through the trophic system. Seabed mining also produces sediment plumes which diminish water quality and disrupt various species of marine wildlife. Additionally, the dredging process can generate conditions for bioaccumulation of toxins within marine organisms.
Odyssey states that their proposed mining area was carefully selected to avoid sensitive areas, but further review challenges the validity of their claim. The proposed area overlaps with and neighbors important protected areas for migratory species and commercial whale and dolphin watch areas. Last month, leatherback sea turtle eggs were laid on Virginia's shores for the first time at Naval Air Station Oceana’s Dam Neck Annex. Leatherbacks and all other sea turtles found in U.S. waters are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. Now more than ever, Virginia’s marine ecosystems need to be protected.
Impacts to Fisheries
Virginia is home to one of the largest fishing economies in the country. In 2024, commercial fisheries and seafood industries contributed over $520 million in GDP, providing 2,497 jobs at over 233 establishments. Virginia also generated the highest seafood landing revenue in the Mid-Atlantic in 2020, bringing in $214.4 million and ranking the fourth highest state for marine products.
Seabed mining disrupts marine ecosystems, putting the fisheries industry at risk. If fish populations become unreliable in the region, Virginia’s fisheries economy will take a significant hit. Such economic impacts will trickle down to local businesses and households. Recreational fishing also contributes to Virginia's vibrant fishing economy through charter operations, tournaments, lodging, restaurants, fuel, bait, tackle, and additional related businesses.
Impacts to Coastal Communities
Not only will impacts to fisheries disrupt local communities, seabed mining will also impact local coastal recreation. Tourism is climbing in cities like Virginia Beach, with over 14 million visitors each year. Tourists visit Virginia’s coastline to participate in a myriad of recreation activities including beachgoing, swimming, boating, paddling, wildlife viewing, and surfing. Such activities require healthy marine ecosystems, clean water, and abundant fish and wildlife. Virginia’s Tourism and Recreation sector is the state’s largest ocean economy employment sector. In 2024, this sector supported over 63,000 jobs and generated $3.8 billion in GDP. Degradation of the ocean off of Virginia’s coast could reduce recreational opportunities and diminish, or even deter, visitor experiences. Imagine a whale-watching tour without the whales? These are the sorts of risks coastal recreation businesses in Virginia would face in the wake of a disruptive seabed mining operations.
Many Locals are Opposed
Local businesses and residents in Virginia are concerned about the long-term impacts of a decision to open up federal waters for seabed mining. For example, LG Shaw, President of Wave Riding Vehicles shares our opposition, remarking that “With so much of Virginia Beach’s economy based on tourism around beach going and ocean enjoyment, it seems very short sighted risking the long-term health of our oceans for short-term gains from seabed mining.” Locals are also concerned about how environmental consequences will impact their communities. Surfrider’s Virginia Beach Chapter Chair, Kayanna Shanker, contends “Seabed mining is a bad idea because it is detrimental to our local ecosystem and fisheries. As a Virginia Beach local, I don’t want seabed mining off our coast.”
What can you do to show opposition? Take Action!
There’s a myriad of reasons to oppose Odyssey’s request for seabed mining off of the coast of Virginia. Take action to stop BOEM from approving harmful seabed mining off of Virginia’s coast by submitting your own personalized comment letter! Submitting your own letter is the best way to make sure that your voice and opinion gets heard. Please feel free to use content provided in this blog to help craft your letter. If drafting your own letter feels too daunting, then please add your name to our comment letter here. The deadline for comments is August 22, 2026, please take action today!