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.”