ENVIRONMENTAL campaign group Greenpeace has launched a seaborne expedition to the Arctic, where deep-sea mining threatens marine life.

Volunteers, including scientists, are crewing Greenpeace ship SY Witness and will investigate the presence of whale and dolphin species in the area targeted by mining companies.

Dr Kirsten Young from Greenpeace Research Laboratories at the University of Exeter, on board the vessel, said: “Whales and dolphins live and feed in the same deep-sea area that the Norwegian government is opening for mining, and are highly sensitive to industrial activities and noise pollution.”

Greenpeace accused the Norwegian government of ignoring warnings from hundreds of concerned scientists and of “gambling with fragile ecosystems and future generations’ livelihoods.”

Greenpeace political campaigner Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, who is also on the expedition vessel, said: “For the first time in history, destructive mining companies are planning to mine the Arctic seabed.”

The expedition is expected to arrive in the threatened area in mid-August.