Listening and Addressing the Concerns of Pacific Islanders Over Deep Sea Mining

Pacific Communities’ Concerns on Deep Sea Mining Must Be Heard

The Stakes for Pacific Communities

In the campaign to halt deep sea mining, Pacific communities have the most at stake. The Clarion-Clipperton zone, located in the Pacific Ocean, is one of the largest targets for deep sea mining operations. However, the voices of Pacific Indigenous communities have been overlooked for far too long, particularly at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN body responsible for discussing the future of the ocean.

To raise awareness and ensure that world leaders understand the growing movement against deep sea mining, it is crucial to listen to representatives from the Pacific and examine why this issue holds such importance for them. Among these representatives are Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala from Hawaii, Alanna Matamaru Smith from the Cook Islands, and Hinano Murphy from Tahiti, French Polynesia.

The Perspective of Pacific Indigenous Communities

Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala, an Elder from Hawaii and member of the Greenpeace International delegation at the ISA meetings in July, emphasizes the deep cultural and spiritual connection that Pacific Indigenous communities have with the ocean. He argues that the deep sea is the place of creation, and it is their responsibility as humanity to care for everything that precedes them, including the coral polyp. Uncle Sol firmly opposes deep sea mining, as it would encroach upon their cultural heritage and disrupt the delicate balance of creation.

It is important to note that Hawaii is not a member state at the ISA due to its political and colonial history, and the United States has also not ratified the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. However, the impact of deep sea mining would directly affect the livelihood, history, and traditions of Indigenous peoples in Hawaii.

A History of Colonialism

Deep sea mining not only poses environmental risks but also represents yet another colonial intrusion on Pacific communities. Uncle Sol draws attention to the history of colonization in Hawaii, where the Queen was overthrown and imprisoned in her own palace as a result of an illegal act of war by the United States. Despite this troubling history, the Queen translated Hawaiian genealogy stories and chants into English, with the hope that they would gain relevance in the future. These stories highlight the significance of the deep sea as the source of creation, beginning with the coral polyp. Unfortunately, the ISA’s focus on underwater cultural heritage neglects the deep cultural connection that Indigenous peoples from the Pacific have with the ocean.

The Perspective of Cook Islands and French Polynesia

Alanna Matamaru Smith from the Cook Islands, who represents the Te Ipukarea Society, witnessed unbalanced messaging from the government regarding deep sea mining. While the government emphasized the potential financial gains, little attention was given to the ecological risks associated with the industry. Smith believes that if the governments present at the ISA meetings could fully comprehend the cultural and identity-related significance of the ocean for Pacific Indigenous communities, they would understand why deep sea mining poses a dangerous threat.

Hinano Murphy of the Tetiaroa Society in Tahiti, French Polynesia, expresses frustration and pain towards the ISA process. Pacific communities, for whom the ocean is central to their way of life, feel disrespected when governments at the ISA dismiss their beliefs and livelihoods. The ocean is deeply ingrained in their identity, and they feel a responsibility to defend it.

Protecting the Oceans

The urgency to address deep sea mining stems from the already perilous state of the world’s oceans, which suffer from overfishing, plastic pollution, offshore drilling, and global warming. With the potential irreversible damage that deep sea mining can cause to marine ecosystems, it would be irresponsible to add this industry to the current threats. Yet, the deep sea mining industry views the oceans and the high seas as a free-for-all opportunity, disregarding the sacredness and reverence that Pacific communities assign to the deep sea.

It is imperative to elevate the voices of Pacific representatives and ensure their concerns are heard. For too long, they have been excluded from discussions on deep sea mining, despite the fact that the Pacific is the primary target for this industry. As the impacts of deep sea mining would directly affect their lives and cultural heritage, it is crucial to take their stories into account and amplify their messages.

In conclusion, world leaders and the ISA must listen to the concerns of Pacific Indigenous communities and genuinely engage in a dialogue about the potential hazards of deep sea mining. By doing so, they can begin to address the historical injustices and create a more inclusive and considerate approach to protecting the world’s oceans.

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