American Samoans should be involved in any federal decisions on deep-sea mining, governor says
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Pago Pago—The government of American Samoa has launched a website to foster public discussion on deep-sea mining and keep its citizens engaged with the emerging issue.
While reiterating that American Samoa "does not support commercial deep-sea mineral extraction at this time," Gov. Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula stressed the importance of remaining engaged in the federal process and being represented in policy decisions affecting the territory's waters, economy, culture and future.
“Having a seat at the table gives American Samoa the ability to ask difficult questions, demand safeguards, insist on good science
and protect our interests,” the governor said.
“Whatever the future brings, decisions affecting our ocean should not be made without our people being informed and
our voice being heard,” the governor said after the launch of the government website designed as a melting pot of differing perspectives on this emerging issue.
Spearheaded by the Deep Ocean Sustainability Initiative, the new website, deepseainfo.as.gov, is touted as a premier source of information on deep-sea mining for regional and global audiences.
The new website brings together science, government documents, news,
videos, expert perspectives, educational materials and information about both the potential risks and economic opportunities associated with deep-sea minerals in one accessible location.
Pula noted the still-unresolved questions about potential effects on fisheries, the marine environment and deep-ocean ecosystems.
“Our responsibility is to make sure our people have the information they need to understand what is being proposed, what the risks may be, what opportunities may exist and what decisions still have to be made,” Pula said.
“Our ocean is central to who we are as Samoan people and to our economic future. We must approach these questions carefully, based on science,
transparency, and the interests of our people and future generations," he added.
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While developed first and foremost to ensure the people of American Samoa have access to reliable information, the administration's broader goal is to establish the territory as a central repository for deep-sea minerals information in the Pacific for researchers, policymakers, students, industry, environmental organizations and anyone interested.
The website's launch follows the governor’s Sept. 15 submission of formal
comments to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding the proposed offshore mineral lease sale.
The current federal process concerns possible leasing and early-stage activities and any future proposal for commercial extraction would require additional plans, environmental review, regulatory decisions and opportunities for public participation.
Territorial officials said any early-stage activity must be carefully managed and used to improve understanding of the deep ocean, establish credible environmental baselines and provide the information necessary to evaluate future proposals.
"The website is not intended to advocate a predetermined outcome," the governor's office said. "Instead, it provides a place to examine the issue from multiple perspectives, including the science, environmental and cultural concerns, potential economic opportunities, technological developments, regulatory processes, and experiences of other Pacific island communities and jurisdictions."
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The site has also been designed for learners of all ages and levels, from children and students encountering the subject for the first time to adults, educators, policymakers, scientists and others seeking more detailed information.
Interactive learning and gameplay are incorporated into the site to help users explore complex questions in an understandable and engaging way, including the potential risks and rewards, competing priorities, and tradeoffs involved in decisions about deep-sea minerals.
The website will continue to expand as new information becomes available.
Weekly updates will help ensure that the resource evolves alongside the
science, policy, technology and global conversation surrounding deep-sea minerals, according to the American Samoa government.
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