Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula has submitted his formal comments to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the proposed PACM-1 offshore mineral lease sale.

The Governor’s comments were informed by public comments submitted to his office, the work of the Deep-Sea Minerals Steering Committee, input from territorial agencies and subject-matter experts, and the views, concerns, and perspectives on deep-sea minerals that members of the community have shared publicly over the past year.

Governor Pulaali‘i thanks the many members of the community who took the time to submit comments, ask questions, share information, and express their concerns and perspectives. He also recognizes the members of the Steering Committee, territorial agencies, and subject-matter experts whose contributions helped inform his final comments.

“Our people care deeply about our ocean and what we leave for future generations,” he said. “I have listened carefully to the concerns being raised, particularly about our fisheries and marine environment. Those concerns matter, and they are reflected in the position I have submitted to the Federal Government.”

The Governor’s comments make clear that American Samoa does not support commercial deep-sea mineral extraction at this time. Significant questions remain about the potential effects of large-scale extraction on deep-ocean ecosystems, fisheries, and the broader marine environment.

At the same time, Governor Pulaali‘i recognizes that the proposed lease areas are in federal waters outside American Samoa’s territorial jurisdiction and that the decision whether to proceed with the lease sale rests with the United States Government. His comments therefore focus on protecting American Samoa’s interests and ensuring that the Territory remains fully engaged as the federal process moves forward.

A central message of the Governor’s submission is that the current lease process should not be confused with authorization to commercially mine the seafloor. 

If the Federal Government proceeds, Preliminary Activities should be used to gather credible science, establish environmental baselines, better understand potential impacts, and provide information needed for future decisions. Any later proposal for commercial extraction must be treated as a separate decision and undergo the environmental, scientific, regulatory, and governmental review required at that time.

The Governor’s comments also call for strong fisheries protections, environmental monitoring and transparency, protection of Rose Atoll and other marine resources, safeguards for territorial infrastructure, meaningful opportunities for American Samoa workers and businesses, workforce development, and an equitable share for American Samoa of revenues that could result from any future offshore mineral development.

For members of the community who remain concerned about the process, Governor Pulaali‘i emphasized that no decision on commercial mining is being made today. The current process provides an opportunity to learn more, strengthen protections, and ensure that American Samoa’s interests are represented before decisions about any future commercial activity are considered.

“We should not be afraid to learn more, and we should not be pressured to decide our future before we have the information needed to make that decision,” he said. “We will remain engaged, protect what sustains our people, and insist that American Samoa’s voice is heard.”

The Governor’s comments conclude with a simple principle for American Samoa’s approach:

“Learn first. Protect what sustains us. Make informed decisions.”