Comment from Grisendi, Luca

I'm voicing my strong opposition to the Exploration License Application for American Deep Sea Minerals. This bid for speculative exploitation is reckless and unnecessary, prioritizing the short-term gains of a few over the essential ocean health we all depend on. Deep-sea mining poses irreversible risks to ocean ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. The deep sea, Earth's least understood ecosystem, reveals new species yearly—like glowing sharks and armored snails—emphasizing its fragility. A test site on the Blake Plateau shows no recovery even after 50 years. NOAA scientists have documented mining impacts from the seafloor to the surface, threatening coastal industries such as fisheries and tourism. Concerns have already been raised by the Global Tuna Alliance and Sustainable Seafood Coalition regarding impacts on the $5.5 billion Pacific tuna industry. A global consensus urges caution: 41 countries, over 65 major corporations, 37 financial institutions, and over 940 marine experts advocate for a moratorium on seabed mining due to its environmental threats and unstable economics. Most critically, those most affected by seabed mining oppose it. Nearly all U.S. Pacific States and territories, including California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, American Samoa, and Guam, have imposed restrictions or outright bans on deep-sea mining. The American Samoa government stands united in its opposition.