There is growing likelihood of minerals mining in the deep sea. (64)  Assessing the significance of resulting environmental impacts takes on urgency. (79)  The ISA is developing regulations for seabed mining which must prevent serious harm. Defining "serious harm" is critical to effective regulation of mining activities. (82)  Deep faunal vulnerabilities derive from low growth rates, species longevity and rarity. Connectivity, resilience, and cumulative impacts are key to significance assessment.

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Since the collapse of the pelagic fisheries off southwest Africa in the late 1960s, jellyfish biomass has increased and the structure of the Benguelan fish community has shifted, making the bearded goby (Sufflogobius bibarbatus) the new predominant prey species. Despite increased predation pressure and a harsh environment, the gobies are thriving. Here we show that physiological adaptations and antipredator and foraging behaviors underpin the success of these fish. In particular, body-tissue isotope signatures reveal that gobies consume jellyfish and sulphidic diatomaceous mud, transferring "dead-end" resources back into the food chain.

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Recurrent eruptions of toxic hydrogen sulphide gas in the waters along the Namibian coast off southwestern Africa have been considered to be local features with only limited ecosystem-scale consequences. But satellite remote sensing has revealed that these naturally occurring events are much more extensive and longer-lasting than previously suspected, and that the resultant hypoxia may last for much longer. The effects on the marine ecology and valuable coastal fisheries of this region are likely to be important.

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