Allowing Deep Sea Mining off Coast of American Samoa is Dangerous and “Reckless”
The Interior Department’s decision today to advance deep-sea mining off American Samoa could cause widespread harm to the marine environment and biodiversity. This would be the first ever commercial deep-sea mining leasing in the world.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Interior issued a notice that it will advance deep-sea mining in waters off the coast of American Samoa and hold a lease sale. If it proceeds, this would be the first deep-sea mining leasing in the world.
The American Samoan government is united in strong opposition to deep sea mining in its waters and passed a moratorium on deep sea mining. American Samoan lives and livelihoods depend on healthy and abundant ocean resources.
Commercial-scale deep-sea mining would launch a new global industry before key questions about its technology, economics, and environmental consequences have been answered. The growing body of science makes clear that these untested activities could cause severe and lasting harm to the deep ocean.
The following is a statement from Taryn Kiekow Heimer, director for ocean energy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“The Trump administration is diving in blind on deep-sea mining while the rest of the world is trying to understand the damage it could cause. This is a reckless decision from the Interior Department—one that ignores its duty to protect our nation’s natural resources and the people who rely upon them. Deep-sea mining in this area would likely destroy the rich sea life living thousands of feet below the ocean surface and spread suffocating sediment far and wide.
“The Trump administration is fast-tracking deep-sea mining without considering the full impacts on the marine environment, wildlife, and fisheries. And it’s doing so despite the overwhelming opposition of the people of American Samoa.”
For more on the risks of deep-sea mining, please see this NRDC explainer.
Background
American Samoa’s ocean waters, reefs, beaches, and deep-sea environments are exceptionally rich in biodiversity and cultural, ecological, and economic importance. American Samoa’s shallow-water coral reefs include an estimated 342 coral species, cover approximately 115 square miles, and support hundreds of fish species and thousands of marine species overall. These reefs provide essential habitat, support subsistence fishing, and help protect communities from sea-level rise and wave impacts. The surrounding waters also contain roughly 90 seamounts and 146 smaller knolls that serve as vital habitat and migratory way stations for commercially important fish, marine mammals, and other wildlife. Endangered and vulnerable species—including humpback whales, sperm whales, green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, olive ridley sea turtles, and leatherback sea turtles—depend on these waters and beaches. Allowing deep-sea mining in this region would put irreplaceable ocean resources at risk.
Known and potential impacts from deep-sea mining include reduced deep-sea oxygen production, toxic discharges that can enter food chains, harmful noise and light pollution, air and water pollution, the spread of invasive species or pathogens, and climate-related impacts from methane release and disturbance of stored carbon. Taken together, these effects could significantly alter marine wildlife and broader ocean systems.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Mark Drajem, mdrajem@nrdc.org and Elizabeth Heyd, eheyd@nrdc.org
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).