The mayors of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have issued a unified statement opposing proposed seabed mining activity near the Marianas, following a federal notice announcing a mineral lease sale for offshore areas located 57 miles from Saipan and 47 miles from Guam.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Aug. 17 released a notice for a December mineral lease sale covering large tracts of the Pacific seabed. The proposed lease area, while not within CNMI territorial waters, sits close enough to the islands to raise concerns among local leaders about potential environmental and economic impacts.
In a joint letter dated Sept. 10, the mayors of Saipan, Tinian and Aguiguan, Rota, and the Northern Islands said the CNMI has received “a serious lack of clear and reliable information” about the consequences of seabed mining. They noted that no comprehensive environmental impact assessments, scientific studies, or long‑term monitoring plans have been provided to demonstrate how deep‑sea ecosystems would be protected.
“Our ocean is central to the livelihood, food security, and cultural heritage of our people,” the mayors wrote. They warned that seabed mining “poses a significant risk of permanent damage to these fragile ecosystems, with consequences that could last for generations.”
The mayors also questioned the absence of any clear economic benefit to the CNMI, saying federal agencies have not explained how mining activities would create jobs, generate revenue, or provide long‑term value for the islands. “Without such assurances, it is unacceptable to place our natural resources at risk,” they said.
Another major concern is the lack of meaningful consultation with local governments and residents. The mayors said decisions that could permanently affect CNMI waters “must be made with full public participation, not without it.”
The letter, signed by Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, Rota Mayor Aubry M. Hocog, and Northern Islands Mayor Valentino Taisacan, urges BOEM to halt any advancement of seabed mining until full environmental studies, economic analyses, and community consultations are completed and made public.
“Protecting our ocean today protects the future of our people, our economy, and our islands,” they wrote.
Their opposition comes as Pacific governments, environmental groups, and regional organizations continue to scrutinize deep‑sea mining proposals across the region, citing risks to biodiversity, fisheries, and cultural waters.
