NK MehtaOpposition to Marianas seabed mining is growing on Guam. Community groups, students and the island’s governor are all questioning federal plans to lease ocean floor near the islands. The first auction is set for waters off American Samoa on Nov. 19, and a Marianas sale follows on Dec. 16. As a result, local advocates are working hard to inform residents before key decisions are made.
Prutehi Guåhan Brings the Seabed Mining Debate to the Public
Prutehi Guåhan, a local activist group, will host a free film screening and discussion called “Deep Sea Mining 101 Part 2.” The event takes place on Nov. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Guam Community College Multipurpose Auditorium. The group is co-hosting with the GCC Practical Nursing Student Association. Those students view seabed mining as a public health and safety concern, and they will sell Jamaican Grill fundraiser tickets at the event.
Executive director Monaeka Flores explained that the film looks at international law. It also covers the pressure on smaller Pacific nations, such as Nauru, to allow mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. An earlier screening at the University of Guam drew a strong crowd and lively debate. However, Flores said government agencies rarely give people a chance to ask questions and hear each other’s concerns.
The group’s position is firm. It opposes seabed mining in the Marianas, American Samoa, Alaska and Virginia. When asked where mining would be acceptable, Flores answered simply: “Nowhere.”
Key Dates in the Marianas Seabed Mining Timeline
The coming weeks are packed with deadlines. The table below lists the most important ones.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov. 12 (5 p.m. ET) | Deadline to register for the NOAA virtual public hearing |
| Nov. 16 (5 p.m. ET) / Nov. 17 (8 a.m. Guam) | NOAA virtual public hearing via Adobe Connect |
| Nov. 16 | Latest date for the final notice of the Marianas sale |
| Nov. 17 | “Deep Sea Mining 101 Part 2” screening at GCC |
| Nov. 19 | Federal seabed lease sale off American Samoa |
| Dec. 16 | Scheduled Marianas seabed lease sale |
How Guam Residents Can Take Part
Residents still have time to share their views. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has opened a comment period on mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and in an area between Guam and Wake Island. Flores is encouraging people to join the virtual hearing. Meanwhile, the group is building a campaign around the comment period.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Register early for the NOAA hearing before the Nov. 12 deadline.
- Attend the GCC screening to learn the basics and ask questions.
- Watch for a protest date timed with the American Samoa sale.
- Look out for a community event on the lawsuits, which is still being planned.
Planning has not been easy, though. Flores noted that Guam’s weather, which swings between intense heat and heavy rain, has made it hard to set a protest date.
Guam’s Governor Asks for a Pause
The concern reaches the top of the local government. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has said Guam was left out of a consultation role that the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands received. In an Oct. 20 letter to the Marine Minerals Administration, she asked the agency to pause the Marianas sale until Guam has a real voice. Notably, Guam law already bans seabed mining in its territorial waters. Still, the nearest lease area sits only about 47 miles away.
On the other hand, the agency says a lease is only a first step. A winning bid allows early work such as mapping and sampling. Any actual mining would need a separate plan and an environmental review. Even so, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told G20 energy ministers in September that permits could come within months.
Earthjustice Lawsuits Could Change the Outcome
The courts may weigh in before the auctions close. Earthjustice has filed two lawsuits challenging a National Marine Fisheries Service finding. That finding said leasing is unlikely to harm whales, sea turtles and other protected species.
- American Samoa case: Judge Jill Otake heard arguments in Honolulu on Oct. 30. She has not said when she will rule, and a decision may not come before Nov. 19.
- Marianas case: Filed Sept. 8 on behalf of four conservation groups, it targets a similar finding for the Marianas.
- Guam’s role: The government of Guam is not a plaintiff in either case.
Earthjustice attorney J.V. Langkilde believes both reviews followed the same process. Therefore, a win in the American Samoa case would make a similar outcome in the Marianas very likely. He expects rulings within weeks, although he stressed that this is his own estimate and not a court schedule.
Why This Matters for the Pacific
For many islanders, the ocean is more than a resource. It is a source of food, culture and identity. In addition, conservation groups warn that disturbing the seabed could put marine mammals and their habitats at risk. With lease sales, legal battles and public hearings all overlapping, the next few weeks may decide the direction of Marianas seabed mining for years to come.
