BERLIN 

Greenpeace activists deployed a massive 10-meter (33-foot) octopus model outside Germany's parliament on Monday, demanding an immediate halt to deep-sea mining plans as critical international negotiations began.

The demonstration featured more than a dozen activists holding banners that read "Declare a moratorium - stop deep-sea mining" and "Protect the deep sea."

It coincided with the start of the International Seabed Authority's (ISA) annual assembly in Jamaica, where 170 member states will negotiate regulations for mining international waters.

"The German government needs to make a clear commitment against the start of deep-sea mining to prevent irreversible damage to the seabed," Anna Saito, Greenpeace deep-sea mining expert, said.

"They must advocate for a global moratorium that stops the exploitation of the deep sea."

Germany currently holds exploration licenses for a 75,000 square kilometer area containing manganese nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Central Pacific.

The German government's position has been criticized by environmental groups for supporting only a "precautionary pause" rather than a full moratorium, which would still allow preparations for mining operations.

The ISA negotiations, running until July 25, are considered crucial for determining the future of international deep-sea protections and resource extraction regulations.