Comment from Vafaeenia, Pasha

I'm strongly against the Exploration License Application for American Deep Sea Minerals. This new, speculative exploitation is reckless and unnecessary, prioritizing short-term profits for a few at the expense of the ocean's health, which is vital for everyone. Deep-sea mining poses irreversible threats to ocean ecosystems and the people depending on them. The deep sea, Earth's least understood and most fragile ecosystem, reveals new species annually—like glowing sharks and armored snails. Yet, sites like the Blake Plateau show no recovery even after 50 years. NOAA scientists highlight mining impacts from the seafloor to the surface, endangering coastal industries like fisheries and tourism. Groups like the Global Tuna Alliance are concerned about impacts on the $5.5 billion Pacific tuna industry. Worldwide, there's a call for caution: 41 countries, over 65 corporations, 37 financial institutions, and more than 940 marine experts advocate for a moratorium on seabed mining due to environmental risks and unstable economics. Those most impacted by seabed mining are against it. Nearly all U.S. Pacific States and territories—California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, American Samoa, and Guam—have restricted or banned it. The government of American Samoa stands united in opposition.