Pacific church and environmental leaders have warned that deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to the Pacific Ocean, describing attempts to market the industry as “sustainable blue growth” as misleading.
The warning came during a press conference held alongside the International Seabed Authority (ISA)’s regional workshop on deep-sea mining held at the PIF secretariat.
General secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Reverend James Bhagwan said the ocean held deep spiritual, cultural and environmental significance for Pacific peoples.
“For Pacific peoples, there is nothing sustainable about deep-sea mining when it violates our cultural and spiritual connection to the ocean,” Mr Bhagwan said.
“The ocean is not simply a resource. It is our common home, our provider, our ancestor and part of God’s creation.”
Oceans campaigner for the Pacific Network on Globalisation, Laisa Nainoka said there was “no such thing as sustainable deep-sea mining”.
Ms Nainoka warned that the environmental impacts of seabed mining would affect marine ecosystems and Pacific communities across the region.
Political coordinator for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Rae Bainteiti accused the industry of “bluewashing” the risks associated with seabed extraction.
“Calling the destruction of our ocean floor ‘sustainable blue growth’ is deceptive, biased and wrong,” he said.
“Deep-sea mining is a risky investment that will cost the Pacific the most and benefit us the least.”
Mr Bainteiti argued that under the current International Seabed Authority benefit-sharing system, Pacific Island countries would receive minimal economic returns while multinational mining companies profited heavily from ocean resources.
