Comment from MAILLARD, SAMUEL

I am speaking out today against American Deep Sea Minerals' request for an exploration license in international waters. It's clear from scientific evidence that deep-sea mining harms the ocean, but the extent of this damage is still unknown due to the deep sea being one of Earth's least understood ecosystems. We continue to discover new species regularly, such as luminous sharks and armored snails. Top marine scientists advocate for extensive deep-ocean research before any mining approvals, including studies on seasonal and annual changes, to truly grasp what might be lost. The threats are not confined to the seabed. NOAA research shows that mining impacts can extend from the ocean floor to the surface. Experiments on the Blake Plateau have revealed little ecological recovery even fifty years after disturbances. Such impacts could jeopardize fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities. Leaders, like the Global Tuna Alliance and the Sustainable Seafood Coalition, have raised alarms about the potential risks to the $5.5 billion Pacific tuna sector. Globally, consensus is building that these risks are unacceptably high. Forty-two countries, over sixty-five major corporations, numerous financial institutions, and more than 940 marine experts have all endorsed a moratorium or a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining due to environmental risks and uncertain economic outcomes. Communities most affected have also voiced their concerns. Almost every U.S. Pacific state and territory, including California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, and Guam, has moved to limit or ban deep-sea mining. This issue is not only environmental but also financial. No commercial deep-sea mining operations currently exist worldwide. The technology is untested, costs are steep, and taxpayers shouldn't bear the burden of another failed venture. The Nautilus Minerals collapse, which allegedly caused over $100 million in losses for Papua New Guinea, should be seen as a cautionary tale, not a precedent. The United States should steer away from this dangerous path. We must lead by adhering to sound science, protecting our oceans, and investing in sustainable solutions for our mineral needs. We strongly urge NOAA to deny this exploration permit and all similar proposals. Thank you!