Pacific Parliamentarians Alliance on Deep Sea Mining Launched

The Pacific Parliamentarians Alliance on Deep Sea Mining has been officially launched as a high-level political voice that will advocate for the protection of the Pacific Ocean from exploitation. The Alliance is a collective of Pacific leaders who share a strong concern for the health of our ocean, and who have rallied against the reckless rush by large corporations, backed by powerful governments, to mine the ocean floor for minerals. The Alliance holds firmly that, given the experimental nature of this industry and growing scientific consensus around the probable irreversible damage to the ocean and ocean systems, all deep sea mining activities must cease immediately to allow scientific research to establish whether or not it should be pursued.With the support of some Pacific leaders and increasing scientific evidence on the dangers of DSM, both state and non-state actors have played a key role in trying to slow down efforts to mine the region’s seabed. But despite some success in the last decade, the rush to mine the seabed has continued to gain momentum. This has highlighted the urgent need for moral political leadership on the issue.The ocean also plays a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by acting as a carbon sink – absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – thereby helping regulate global climate. It is well established that the health of the ocean is already in decline from human activities such as over-exploitation, pollution, and climate change and global warming. There is no scenario in which DSM does not result in damage; it can only compound these stressors.The PPADSM also believes that the rush to commence DSM in the region bears a stark resemblance to previous instances where the Pacific ocean and its peoples were used as test subjects in experimental frontier industries, which ultimately benefitted the rich while leaving the Pacific to bear dire economic, social and environmental consequences. These complex challenges, the Alliance believes, require strong political leadership and immediate concerted action at the regional level. They are concerned that failing to check this momentum, DSM activities could begin within the next 15 months.With that backdrop, the PPADSM has also released the ‘Our Ocean Call’ as part of their launch with five key asks to protect the Pacific Ocean:The PPADSM Members:1. Ralph Regenvanu, Opposition Leader, Vanuatu (PPADSM Chair)2. Debbie Ngarewa-Parker, Co-leader Maori Party Leader, MP Aotearoa New Zealand3. Gary Juffa, Oro Governor, MP, PNG4. Enele Sopoaga, Opposition Leader, Tuvalu5. Lenora Qereqeretabua, MP, Fiji6. Mathew Wale, Opposition Leader, Solomon Islands7. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Minister of Environment, Samoa8. Theonila Roka-Matbob, Minister for Education, Autonomous Region of Bougainville9. Moetai Brotherson, Member of the National Assembly of France, Maohi Nui (French Occupied Polynesia)10. Allan Bird, East Sepik Governor, MP, PNG11. Teanau Tuiono, Greens Party, MP Aotearoa New Zealand12. Rukebai Inabo, Senator, Palau13. Sabina Flores Perez, Senator, Guam14. Ambassador Kaliopate Tavola, Former Minister, Pacific Elders Voices, Fiji15. Tarita Holm, Ngardmau State Legislator Palau,16. Derick R Manu’ari, MP, Solomon Islands17. Peter Kenilorea Junior, MP, Solomon Islands18. John Salong, MP, Vanuatu19. Powes Parkop, Governor NCD, MP, PNG20. Sebastian Marino, House of Delegates, Palau

Pacific Parliamentarians Alliance on Deep Sea Mining Launched

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