Comment from Anonymous

I'm here today to firmly oppose American Deep Sea Minerals' application for an exploration license in international waters. Scientists have made it clear: deep-sea mining will harm the deep ocean. We still don't know the full extent of this damage because the deep sea is the least understood ecosystem on Earth. New species are discovered every year, from glowing sharks to armored snails. Leading marine scientists have called for expanded deep-ocean research before any mining approvals are considered, including studies on seasonal and annual changes. Only with comprehensive biological baselines can we grasp what might be lost. The risks reach far beyond the seafloor. NOAA's research shows mining impacts can extend from the seabed to the ocean surface. Test sites on the Blake Plateau have shown minimal ecological recovery more than fifty years after disturbance. These impacts could threaten fisheries, tourism, and coastal economies. Industry leaders, including the Global Tuna Alliance and the Sustainable Seafood Coalition, have already warned about risks to the $5.5 billion Pacific tuna industry. There's a growing global consensus 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 called for a moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining due to its environmental risks and uncertain economic viability. Those most directly affected have also spoken clearly. 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. Finally, this isn't just an environmental risk—it's a financial one. There are no commercial deep-sea mining operations anywhere in the world. The technology is unproven, the costs are huge, and taxpayers shouldn't fund another failed experiment. The collapse of Nautilus Minerals, which reportedly left Papua New Guinea with losses over $100 million, should be a warning—not a model. The United States shouldn't 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 application for an exploration permit and all similar applications. Thank you!