 The rising global demand for minerals and metals, including those used in the technology sector, has caused a renewed interest in exploring mineral resources located on the ocean floor. These resources include polymetallic sulfide deposits near hydrothermal vents, cobalt-rich crusts on the flanks of seamounts, and fields of manganese nodules on the abyssal plains. Additionally, there is interest in extracting methane from gas hydrate deposits on continental slopes and ridges. Many of these regions have been identified as vulnerable marine ecosystems, VMEs, making them especially susceptible to damage for mining activities. To date, the International Seabed Authority, ISA, has issued 27 contracts for mineral exploration, covering a total area of over 1.4 million square kilometers. Meanwhile, some seabed mining operations are already underway within the continental shelves of certain countries, while other operations are in various stages of development. The first commercial venture, set to begin in 2019, will target mineral-rich sulfides in water depth. This article was authored by Catherine A. Miller, Kirsten F. Thompson, Kirsten F. Thompson and others.