When American Samoa overwhelmingly rejected deep-sea mining earlier this year, many
believed their position would be decisive. But despite unified opposition from government
leaders, cultural practitioners, and local communities, the final decision may still be made in
Washington, D.C. — not Pago Pago.
That reality should alarm us in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where the
federal government has now opened the door to seabed mineral leasing in our own waters. And
with only one week left before the public comment period closes, the CNMI faces a moment as
consequential as American Samoa’s.
The Lesson From American Samoa
At community meetings in Utulei, American Samoans voiced fierce opposition to mining.
Residents spoke about culture, identity, fisheries, and the deep relational ties between people
and ocean. Their congressional representative emphasized that these waters are embedded in
fa‘a Samoa, carrying the stories of the shark and turtle that define their origins.
Yet mining executives acknowledged openly that Indigenous opposition may not stop the
process. Federal officials can still proceed — even over the objections of the people who will
bear the consequences.
The CNMI is in the same legal position.
And we must understand that clearly.
A Community Not United — But Still Deserving of a Voice
Unlike what some may assume, the Marianas are not unanimously against deep-sea mining.
Our community is divided:
● Some believe mining offers a rare economic lifeline.
● Some fear environmental destruction.
● Some feel trapped between rising costs and limited job opportunities.
● Others simply do not trust federal or environmental institutions.
These concerns are real, valid, and rooted in lived experience. Nobody should be shamed for
wanting economic stability.
But acknowledging those economic struggles does not require surrendering our right to shape
our future. Whether one supports or opposes mining, our voices must be recorded now,
before decisions are made without us.
What’s at Stake for Chamorros and Refaluwasch
For Chamorro and Refaluwasch families, the ocean is not an abstract space, a commodity, or a
distant frontier. It is the center of identity, navigation, food security, and history. It is where
memory and responsibility meet.
American Samoa understood this clearly. Their leaders warned that mining threatens not only
ecosystems, but cultural continuity and the fisheries that sustain their economy.
The CNMI faces identical risks — but we also face an opportunity:
to choose a future that does not pit culture against economy.
A Blue Frontier Instead of a Mining Frontier
There is another path forward. A Blue Frontier strategy — long championed across the Pacific
— offers sustainable economic growth without gambling with the deep sea.
It includes:
● Maritime workforce development for island youth
● Ocean tech and robotics training
● Cultural navigation and canoe-building programs
● Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture expansion
● Research partnerships for marine science
● Eco-cultural tourism grounded in Chamorro and Refaluwasch knowledge
These are practical, job-creating options. They offer stability without risking biodiversity, fisheries, or cultural identity. Deep-sea mining is not our only chance at prosperity. The ocean itself — cared for, not
extracted — has always been our strength.
A Final Plea Before the Deadline
The BOEM comment period ends in one week. You do not need to be an expert, scientist, or activist to submit a comment. You only need to care about what happens to our islands.
Whether you are Chamorro, Refaluwasch, Filipino, Carolinian, Palauan, or part of the wider
community — your perspective matters. Whether you support mining, oppose it, or are unsure
— your voice still matters.
American Samoa spoke with clarity, even knowing they might be ignored. The CNMI should do
the same.
Let no one say the people of the Marianas were silent. Not this time.
By Eipérang (Gregorie Michael Towai)
Independent Researcher, Refaluwasch & CNMI Community Member
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMI News Service or its staff. All assertions are the sole responsibility of the writer.
To submit an op-ed for consideration, email your piece to brad.ruszala@nminewsservice.com
American Samoa Said “No.” The CNMI Must Decide What Future We Are Willing to Accept
When American Samoa overwhelmingly rejected deep-sea mining earlier this year, many
believed their position would be decisive. But despite unified opposition from government
leaders, cultural practitioners, and local communities, the final decision may still be made in
Washington, D.C. — not Pago Pago.
That reality should alarm us in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where the
federal government has now opened the door to seabed mineral leasing in our own waters. And
with only one week left before the public comment period closes, the CNMI faces a moment as
consequential as American Samoa’s.
The Lesson From American Samoa
At community meetings in Utulei, American Samoans voiced fierce opposition to mining.
Residents spoke about culture, identity, fisheries, and the deep relational ties between people
and ocean. Their congressional representative emphasized that these waters are embedded in
fa‘a Samoa, carrying the stories of the shark and turtle that define their origins.
Yet mining executives acknowledged openly that Indigenous opposition may not stop the
process. Federal officials can still proceed — even over the objections of the people who will
bear the consequences.
The CNMI is in the same legal position.
And we must understand that clearly.
A Community Not United — But Still Deserving of a Voice
Unlike what some may assume, the Marianas are not unanimously against deep-sea mining.
Our community is divided:
● Some believe mining offers a rare economic lifeline.
● Some fear environmental destruction.
● Some feel trapped between rising costs and limited job opportunities.
● Others simply do not trust federal or environmental institutions.
These concerns are real, valid, and rooted in lived experience. Nobody should be shamed for
wanting economic stability.
But acknowledging those economic struggles does not require surrendering our right to shape
our future. Whether one supports or opposes mining, our voices must be recorded now,
before decisions are made without us.
What’s at Stake for Chamorros and Refaluwasch
For Chamorro and Refaluwasch families, the ocean is not an abstract space, a commodity, or a
distant frontier. It is the center of identity, navigation, food security, and history. It is where
memory and responsibility meet.
American Samoa understood this clearly. Their leaders warned that mining threatens not only
ecosystems, but cultural continuity and the fisheries that sustain their economy.
The CNMI faces identical risks — but we also face an opportunity:
to choose a future that does not pit culture against economy.
A Blue Frontier Instead of a Mining Frontier
There is another path forward. A Blue Frontier strategy — long championed across the Pacific
— offers sustainable economic growth without gambling with the deep sea.
It includes:
● Maritime workforce development for island youth
● Ocean tech and robotics training
● Cultural navigation and canoe-building programs
● Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture expansion
● Research partnerships for marine science
● Eco-cultural tourism grounded in Chamorro and Refaluwasch knowledge
These are practical, job-creating options. They offer stability without risking biodiversity, fisheries, or cultural identity. Deep-sea mining is not our only chance at prosperity. The ocean itself — cared for, not
extracted — has always been our strength.
A Final Plea Before the Deadline
The BOEM comment period ends in one week. You do not need to be an expert, scientist, or activist to submit a comment. You only need to care about what happens to our islands.
Whether you are Chamorro, Refaluwasch, Filipino, Carolinian, Palauan, or part of the wider
community — your perspective matters. Whether you support mining, oppose it, or are unsure
— your voice still matters.
American Samoa spoke with clarity, even knowing they might be ignored. The CNMI should do
the same.
Let no one say the people of the Marianas were silent. Not this time.
By Eipérang (Gregorie Michael Towai)
Independent Researcher, Refaluwasch & CNMI Community Member
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMI News Service or its staff. All assertions are the sole responsibility of the writer.
To submit an op-ed for consideration, email your piece to brad.ruszala@nminewsservice.com