Comment from Grisendi, Luca

I'm here today to firmly oppose American Deep Sea Minerals’ request for an exploration license in international waters. Scientists have made it clear that deep-sea mining will harm the deep ocean. However, we still lack a full understanding of the potential damage, as the deep sea is the least understood ecosystem on our planet. New species, from bioluminescent sharks to armored snails, are discovered every year. Leading marine scientists are advocating for extensive deep-ocean research before any mining permission is granted, including studies reflecting seasonal and yearly changes. Comprehensive biological baselines are crucial to understanding what we might lose. The risks go well beyond the seafloor. NOAA research indicates that mining impacts can extend from the seabed to the ocean surface. Test sites on the Blake Plateau have shown little to no ecological recovery even after fifty years. These impacts could endanger fisheries, tourism, and coastal economies. Industry leaders, including the Global Tuna Alliance and the Sustainable Seafood Coalition, have raised concerns about potential threats to the $5.5 billion Pacific tuna industry. Globally, there is a growing consensus that these risks are simply too significant. Forty-two countries, over sixty-five major corporations, more than 35 financial institutions, and over nine hundred forty marine experts have all advocated for a moratorium or careful pause on deep-sea mining due to its environmental hazards and uncertain economic outlook. Those directly impacted have also voiced their concerns. Nearly every U.S. Pacific state and territory, including California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, and Guam, have taken steps to restrict or ban deep-sea mining. Lastly, this is not only an environmental concern but a financial one as well. Commercial deep-sea mining operations do not exist globally. The technology is untested, the expenses are vast, and taxpayers should not bear the cost of another failed venture. The downfall of Nautilus Minerals, leaving Papua New Guinea with over $100 million in losses, serves as a warning, not a blueprint. The United States should not lead a reckless charge. We should lead by embracing sound science, safeguarding our oceans, and investing in more sustainable solutions to meet our essential mineral needs. We urge NOAA to deny this exploration permit and similar applications. Thank you!