Letter to the Editor: The ocean is not just a resource; it embodies cultural heritage

J

Across Guam and the wider Western Pacific, the ocean is more than geography; it is livelihood, culture, and legacy. For island communities whose histories, economies and identities are inseparable from the sea, decisions made far from

our shores carry lasting consequences.

As federal discussions advance regarding seabed mining in the Western Pacific, voices from Guam and neighboring islands are rising to underscore what is at stake: fragile marine ecosystems, indigenous cultural practices, and the long-term sustainability of island communities that depend on the ocean every day.

I oppose the federal government’s plan to authorize private companies to engage in seabed mining in the Western Pacific, particularly in or near the waters surrounding the U.S. unincorporated territory of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and COFA island nations. The implications are profound, not only for our environment, but for the cultural integrity and socio-economic well-being of our island communities.

Seabed mining poses a severe threat to marine ecosystems that sustain fisheries and ocean health. Sediment plumes generated during mining operations can smother coral reefs, disrupt habitats, and threaten fish populations that Western Pacific islanders rely on as a primary food source.

Coral reefs, which occupy less than 1 percent of the ocean floor, support more than 25 percent of all marine species, making them essential to biodiversity and food security.

The waters surrounding Guam, the Northern Marianas and neighboring islands are a primary source of nutrition for our communities. Small island populations rely heavily on fisheries, which directly support local diets and economies. Pollutants introduced through seabed mining threaten both immediate food security and the long-term sustainability of these resources.

The Western Pacific Ocean is not merely a resource; it embodies the cultural heritage and practices of indigenous peoples. Traditional fishing, gathering, and spiritual practices depend on the integrity of the marine environment. 

The destruction of these environments erodes cultural identity and violates the principle, affirmed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of 

Indigenous Peoples, that Indigenous people have the right to maintain their relationship with their lands, waters, and coastal seas.

The ongoing U.S. military buildup on Guam and in the Northern Marianas adds

another layer of concern. Increased military presence has strained local infrastructure and restricted access to traditional fishing grounds for much of the year. 

Authorizing seabed mining in this context raises serious questions about prioritizing national economic interests over the well-being of island communities.

While we on Guam have long supported U.S. national security objectives, we cannot accept the exploitation of our natural resources under the guise of economic necessity.

For Guam and the Western Pacific, this issue is ultimately about stewardship, respect, and responsibility. Protecting ocean waters is a commitment to future generations, food security and cultural survival.

Decisions must be grounded in science, local knowledge, and genuine consultation, so that the Pacific remains a source of life, not loss, for those who call it home.

Judith Paulette Gutherz

Hagatna

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