A former Director of Education and former Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources has added her voice to those opposing seabed mining in waters in and around American Samoa.
Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga, an educator and biologist, said in a statement, “We Samoans are guardians of the oceans, with strong connections to the sea through our culture, history and strong reliance on marine resources for survival. We teach our children at home, school and church the need to protect its biodiversity and marine resources.”
She said the concept of seabed mining—extracting minerals from the ocean floor—will undoubtedly, and as research has shown, “disrupt the natural process of the ocean floor, loss of species and damage the seabed for thousands of years.”
Dr. Matagi-Tofiga cautioned, “Already, we are facing climate change, ocean acidification, coral bleaching—then to add seabed mining will bring negative consequences for millions of people who depend on its health.”
She believes seabed mining’s impact “on our biodiversity outweighs any economic gains.”
She pleaded, “American Samoa lets stand together and oppose seabed mining.”
