Peer-reviewed scientific research demonstrates the minimal environmental impact of recovering submarine cables for recycling or repurposing

PORTSMOUTH, United Kingdom—The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) welcomes the publication of the first scientific assessment of the environmental considerations associated with the decommissioning of submarine telecommunications and power cables. The study, led by a collaborative international team of academic ocean scientists and industry experts, fills an existing evidence gap and provides timely guidance for industry, regulators, and marine planners.

As demands for digital connectivity accelerate, more than 3.5 million kilometres of submarine cable have now been installed globally, with growing volumes of out-of-service infrastructure approaching or surpassing their 25-year design life. However, until now, no peer-reviewed scientific study has appraised the environmental impacts that may occur in instances when submarine cables are recovered after they have reached the end of their service.

The study published in the Journal of Environmental Management finds that environmental impacts from cable recovery are typically localised, short-lived, and significantly smaller in scale than impacts associated with cable installation. These primarily relate to shallower waters where cables are buried, with surface laid cables in deep water having even smaller impacts. It further concludes that biological colonisation of submarine cables by megafauna is the exception rather than the norm.

The research also highlights the circular-economy potential of cable recovery. Modern fibre-optic cables were found to remain structurally intact even after decades on the seafloor, with recoverable materials—including copper, steel, and plastic—achieving over 95% recyclability.

The lead author of the study, Dr Mike Clare of the National Oceanography Centre (UK), commented: ‘Our aim was to provide the first evidence-based assessment of the environmental implications of submarine cable decommissioning. We found that recovery operations typically create only a very localised and short-lived disturbance, while offering substantial benefits for recycling and the circular economy. In most cases, subsea cables remain in near-pristine condition—even after decades in the deep ocean—which means they can be safely and efficiently recovered and repurposed or recycled.’

Clare added: ‘Biological colonisation by larger organisms is far rarer than commonly assumed. Across thousands of kilometres of recovered cable in our study, colonisation was limited to one short section. This tells us that well-planned and well-executed cable recovery can minimise environmental impacts while supporting sustainable management of submarine infrastructure.’

ICPC Operations Manager Mr John Wrottesley, said: ‘This study marks a major step forward for evidence-based decision-making globally. As marine space becomes increasingly congested and contested, it is vital that we manage submarine infrastructure responsibly throughout its lifecycle. The findings give regulators and industry confidence that responsible cable recovery is both feasible and environmentally proportionate, and that it plays a key role in enabling the installation of next-generation systems without encroaching on sensitive seabed areas. The ICPC looks forward to working with governments, academia, and industry partners to build on this evidence base and to promote best practice worldwide.’
The study also calls for more systematic environmental monitoring during future recovery operations and standardised reporting, to generate datasets that can be used to inform decision making by the submarine cable industry and policymakers, and to more widely enhance scientific understanding of shallow and deep-sea ecosystems.

Event will take place in Athens, Greece from 14th–16th April 2026

PORTSMOUTH, United Kingdom—The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) is very pleased to announce the issuance of its ‘Call for Presentations’ for the forthcoming 2026 Plenary. Under the theme ‘Collaboration to Protect Global Connectivity,’ the annual event will take place in Athens, Greece from 14th–16th April 2026 at the Athenaeum InterContinental where global submarine cable industry experts, academics, and leaders from the science and legal communities will gather under the same roof. ICPC welcomes member organisations as well as non-member organisations who wish to present at the Plenary meeting to submit their abstract(s) for consideration.

ICPC General Manager Mr. Ryan Wopschall commented, ‘The Plenary brings together the global submarine cable industry, governments, academia and other stakeholders to focus on the current and future state of planning, installing, protecting, and maintaining resilient submarine cable infrastructure worldwide. The concept of ‘collaboration’ between marine industries, governments, and the submarine cable industry is often a ‘buzz word,’ particularly in a global industry, but this Plenary will look at how this is actually achieved in practice through real world examples from around the globe.’

Over the course of the Plenary, delegates will exchange dialogue across the three days—listening, learning and discussing a variety of topics focused on the importance of submarine fibre optic cables as well as power cables for offshore renewables and electricity transmission and distribution.

To express interest in presenting at the ICPC Plenary, please submit your abstract by Friday, 30th January 2026 (new date) via the following link. The link provides specific details such as deadline dates and suggested presentation topics based on the Plenary’s theme.

Wopschall added, ‘The ICPC last met in Athens in 1988, and we look forward to the 67th Plenary taking place in this historic location at an important time for submarine cables in the Mediterranean.’

About the Plenary: A cornerstone event for our organisation, the annual ICPC Plenary attracts global attendance and has always provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas on the planning, installation, operation, protection, and maintenance of cables, to learn from colleagues facing similar challenges, and to get up to date with environmental and legal aspects of submarine cables. This annual event provides tremendous benefits for ICPC Members, presenters, and exhibitors. The Plenary agenda includes presentations, break-out sessions, invited guest speakers, networking opportunities and much more! If you would like to exhibit at the Plenary, please reach out to [email protected].

About the ICPC: The International Cable Protection Committee is a non-commercial, non-profit international community of interest comprising more than 235 member organisations from 70 countries who are active in the critical activities of building, operating, and maintaining submarine telecommunications and power cable infrastructure. ICPC Member organisations represent over 98% of the world’s submarine telecommunications cable infrastructure, and an increasing number of international submarine power cables. To learn more about the ICPC, visit: www.iscpc.org or send an e-mail to [email protected]. If interested in joining the ICPC, visit: https://www.iscpc.org/join-the-icpc/.

News Release: Launch of International Advisory Body to Support Resilience of Submarine Telecom Cables'
Strengthening resilience of submarine cable networks is key to digital connectivity and economies

​​​​The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Agency for Digital Technologies, and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the leading industry organisation promoting submarine cable protection, have formed the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience to strengthen the resilience of this vital telecommunication infrastructure.

Submarine telecommunication cables form the backbone of global communications, carrying most of the world's Internet traffic and enabling critical services across the globe, including commerce, financial transactions, government activities, digital health and education.

The Advisory Body will address ways to improve cable resilience by promoting best practices for governments and industry players to ensure the timely deployment and repair of submarine cables, reduce the risks of damage, and enhance the continuity of communications over the cables.

“Submarine cables carry over 99 per cent of international data exchanges, making their resilience a global imperative," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “The Advisory Body will mobilize expertise from around the world to ensure this vital digital infrastructure remains resilient in the face of disasters, accidents, and other risks."

Recognising the vital role of subsea infrastructure

Damage to submarine cables is not uncommon, with an average of 150 to 200 faults occurring globally each year and requiring about three cable repairs per week, according to the ICPC.

The primary causes of damage include accidental human activity, such as fishing and anchoring, alongside natural hazards, abrasion and equipment failure.

“The formation of this International Advisory Body with ITU marks another step toward safeguarding our global digital infrastructure," said ICPC Chair, Graham Evans. “By working together, we can promote best practices, foster international collaboration, and create a consistent approach to protect the vital submarine cable networks that underpin global connectivity."

Supporting digital resilience globally

The Advisory Body's 40 members include Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives, and senior experts on the operations of telecommunication cables.

Members come from all world regions, ensuring diversity and inclusion from countries ranging from small island states to major economies. The membership captures the perspectives of those whose livelihoods and digital futures depend on the operation of submarine telecommunication cables, as well as those who work to deploy, maintain and protect this vital infrastructure.

The Advisory Body is co-chaired by H.E. Minister Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority of the Republic of Portugal (ANACOM).

“Submarine cables are essential to the functioning of our connected world, but they face risks that require coordinated, proactive action," said Tijani. “Therefore, we are happy to host the inaugural Submarine Cable Resilience Summit to be held in Nigeria in early 2025."

"This initiative underscores the global community's commitment to strengthening these networks and advancing international cooperation for digital resilience," said Maximiano.

The Advisory Body will meet at least two times a year. It will consult with experts on telecommunications, digital resilience infrastructure development, infrastructure investment and international policy to provide strategic guidance and encourage sector-wide collaboration.

The first virtual meeting is scheduled for December 2024. The first physical meeting is currently scheduled to take place during the Submarine Cable Resilience Summit, planned for late February 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria.​

Read the full news release here.