Majority of speakers at Deep Sea Mining Town Hall express concern

Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA

The majority of speakers at last Wednesday’s Town Hall meeting on deep sea mining, held at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium, voiced strong opposition to any exploration or extraction of minerals from the ocean floor in waters near American Samoa.

Among them was Police Commissioner Ta’aga Saite Moliga, who spoke in his capacity as a Manu‘a orator, declaring Manu‘a’s unequivocal opposition to deep sea mining. He cited the islands’ close proximity to the proposed mining site as a major concern.

Commissioner Ta’aga emphasized the vulnerability of the three Manu‘a islands to environmental disruptions, particularly those linked to climate change. He underscored the deep reliance of Manu‘a’s people on the ocean — not just as a source of food, but as a foundation of their way of life and cultural identity.

Kerolina of Auasi attended the meeting with her two daughters, expressing deep concern for the future they may inherit — one she said now hangs in the balance as decisions about deep sea mining loom.

“The reason I’m here is because I feel the seriousness of this,” she said. “This is my children’s future. And as a former science teacher, I strongly recommend that we educate our children about the harmful effects of deep sea mining on the many marine ecosystems.”

She emphasized that the deep ocean remains one of the least understood environments on Earth — home to complex ecosystems of plants and animals that thrive in darkness, far beyond the reach of sunlight. These ecosystems, she noted, have taken thousands of years to evolve and could be irreversibly destroyed if deep sea mining proceeds.

Ma‘atulimanu Sausi Maea, an Army veteran, fisherman, and farmer from Pago Pago, echoed Kerolina’s concerns, warning that the consequences of deep sea mining would be devastating — not only to fragile marine ecosystems but also to the people of American Samoa.

“The plant and animal ecosystems that exist on the seabed will be obliterated by the remote-controlled machines used in mining,” Maea stated. “Sediment plumes will drift upward and outward, disrupting marine ecosystems affecting fish, whale, and dolphin populations.”

He spoke passionately about the cultural and personal significance of the ocean: “Fishing to me is my way of living and culture — it’s my identity, and it’s what my people are about,” he said. “Without the sea, we are nothing. Without fish and other marine resource we consume, we cannot survive.”

Tamatoa Tony Langkilde also voiced his opposition to deep sea mining, urging the community to assert its Indigenous rights in the protection and preservation of American Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He suggested that the federal government has a responsibility to honor and uphold these rights, particularly when decisions could impact the cultural, environmental, and economic well-being of the territory.

Musuaina Collins of Pago Pago, a staff member of the American Samoa Resilience Office, spoke on behalf of her colleagues and the youth of Samoa, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting marine resources for future generations.

She highlighted that the two primary industries generating the most local revenue for the American Samoa government are tuna fishing and tourism — both of which are deeply tied to the health of the ocean. “The sea plays a vital role in sustaining these industries,” she said, “and any process or action — like deep sea mining — that threatens the ocean and its living ecosystems must be stopped at all costs.”

A differing viewpoint was offered by former Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources, Taotasi Archie Soliai, who advocated for a more balanced and inclusive approach to the deep sea mining debate. He began by commending Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka for her comprehensive and informative presentation on the potential negative impacts of seabed mining.

However, Taotasi emphasized that “there are always two sides to a story,” and stressed the importance of giving the public an opportunity to hear alternative perspectives. He suggested that representatives from local industries connected to the ocean and marine resources should be invited to share relevant insights and data to help inform the community.

Referencing the executive order recently issued by former President Donald Trump on deep sea mining, Taotasi highlighted two key terms that stood out to him: “national security” and “national interests.” He argued that these priorities are likely driving federal momentum behind the initiative.

“We can make the argument all we want, but in the end, Trump will eventually do what Trump wants to do,” he said. “But it’s important that we continue to engage and broaden the conversation. You know they say, ‘the burden of knowledge is in communication.’”

He concluded by urging that future town hall meetings include presentations from industries involved in or affected by the proposed operations, so the public can gain a fuller understanding of all aspects of the issue and make informed decisions.

Taulapapa Willie Sword raised geopolitical and economic considerations in the deep sea mining debate, noting that the proposed mining site lies not far from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Cook Islands. He pointed out that the Cook Islands has already passed legislation permitting deep sea mining and has awarded a contract to a Chinese company.

He expressed concern that mining activities in nearby waters could have detrimental effects on marine life in American Samoa due to sediment plumes drifting across boundaries via ocean currents and tides.

Taulapapa also highlighted that licenses for deep sea mining operations in the Pacific — specifically in waters between Hawai‘i and California — have similarly been awarded to Chinese companies. He cautioned that “the Chinese are at our doorstep,” warning that if American Samoa does not engage with the issue, it risks being left behind and potentially compromising national security.

As chairman of the local Republican Party, Taulapapa also spoke about the potential economic benefits of a deep sea mining operation for the territory. He suggested it could generate revenue for the Port Administration and create demand for local services such as fuel supply, provisioning, and logistical support for mining vessels and equipment.

Bret Butler concluded the Q&A session by emphasizing the need for more data and informed analysis to determine what is truly in the best interest of American Samoa. He noted that the only reason the proposed mining area falls within American Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is due to the inclusion of Rose Atoll—highlighting that, in matters of deep sea mining, the federal government ultimately holds greater jurisdiction.

He emphasized the importance of continued public engagement and encouraged residents to participate in the ongoing dialogue.

Additional Town Hall meetings are planned throughout the 30-day comment period to gather more feedback and perspectives from the community.

The governor has asked BOEM for an extension to the 30-day comment, but has yet to hear back from them.