Fagatogo Representative Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr, Chairman of the House Committee on Ports and Transportation, has declared he does not support any form of seabed mining in American Samoa’s waters.
The Interior Department recently announced that its initiating the process to evaluate a potential mineral lease sale in the waters offshore American Samoa. The announcement follows on the heels of an application by U.S.-based company Impossible Metals for a lease sale to conduct seafloor exploration and extraction. The company filed its application with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on April 8, 2025.
Rep. Malaeoletalu released a statement saying, “I want the people of American Samoa and especially Fagatogo District 8, to know that I do not support seabed mining in our ocean.
“We must protect our ocean environment for our children and future generations.”
The statement explains that seabed mining involves digging up the ocean floor for minerals—a process that has raised serious concerns worldwide for its potential to harm marine life and fragile deep-sea environments.
Rep. Malaeoletalu says he’s not willing to take that risk. “There’s still so much we don’t know about the long-term impact of seabed mining, and we can’t afford to take a risk on something as important as our ocean.”
He also emphasized the importance of transparency and community input. “Any decision that affects our land or ocean should always include the voice of our people.
“That HAS NOT happened here, and that’s another reason I can not support it.”
Rep. Malaeoletalu expressed his appreciation for those speaking out on the issue of deep seabed mining, with particular acknowledgment to former Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga and the Executive Order 006-2024 issued by former Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga, which placed a moratorium on the practice.
“I thank Governor Lolo for publicly voicing his concerns recently on this critical issue. I fully support his call to protect our ocean from potential harm. The moratorium established under Executive Order 006-2024 by Governor Lemanu last year is vital in preserving our marine environment, and I commend those who continue to advocate for its protection.”
The Fagatogo faipule concluded, “I pray that our government and traditional leaders will unite to stop the destruction of our resources. We must protect what God has blessed us with. We’ve always been taught to respect the ocean and not just use it. That’s part of our culture and our responsibility. I will continue to stand up for our environment and the people of American Samoa.”
