Comment from Reis, Marisa

I'm here today to firmly oppose the application from American Deep Sea Minerals for an exploration license in international waters. Scientists have made it clear: deep-sea mining poses a threat to the deep ocean. The full extent of this damage is still unknown because the deep sea is the least understood ecosystem. Every year, new species like glowing sharks and armored snails are discovered. Leading marine scientists are calling for extensive deep-ocean research before any mining approvals, including studies capturing seasonal and annual changes. Only with comprehensive biological baselines can we grasp what stands to be lost. The risks go far beyond the ocean floor. NOAA's research indicates that mining impacts can stretch from the seabed to the ocean's surface. Test sites on the Blake Plateau show little to no ecological recovery even fifty years post-disturbance. These impacts threaten fisheries, tourism, and coastal economies. Industry leaders like the Global Tuna Alliance and the Sustainable Seafood Coalition have warned of potential risks to the $5.5 billion Pacific tuna industry. Globally, a consensus is forming that these risks are too great. Forty-two countries, over sixty-five major corporations, more than 35 financial institutions, and over nine hundred forty marine experts have all called for a moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining due to its environmental risks and uncertain economic viability. Those directly affected have also spoken up. Nearly every U.S. Pacific state and territory—including California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, and Guam—have taken steps to restrict or prohibit deep-sea mining. This isn't only an environmental risk, but a financial one too. No commercial deep-sea mining operations exist globally. The technology is unproven, the costs are massive, and taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for another failed experiment. The collapse of Nautilus Minerals, leaving Papua New Guinea with losses over $100 million, should be a warning, not a model. The United States should not lead a race to the bottom. We should lead by following sound science, protecting our ocean, and investing in sustainable pathways to meet our critical mineral needs. We urge NOAA to reject this exploration permit application and all similar proposals. Thank you!