The Threat of Seabed mining: In the Pacific and international waters

At this event, we call on New Zealand and other governments to support a deep-sea mining moratorium in international waters.

This webinar will acknowledge and highlight the long struggle of communities across the Pacific region in standing up for their cultural identity and livelihood against this fast advancing, destructive, new extractive industry. It will frame the environmental, legal, and societal rationale behind taking global leadership on this imminent threat to ocean health.

The session will cover seabed mining proposals in the Pacific and internationally, opposition from Pacific communities, and the alliance of politicians against the threat of seabed mining. Our speakers will discuss the impacts on local communities, the International Seabed Authority’s rush to mining, and the need for urgent political action to protect our Ocean.
Speakers
We are honoured and excited to hear from our esteemed guest speakers from neighbouring Pacific Island States and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Teanau Tuiono, Green MP
20 years of experience as an activist, advocate, and organiser at local, national, and international levels.
In Pasifika communities, Teanau is known for his work in the education sector and climate change advocacy, while in Māori communities he is known for his indigenous rights activism. He has a particular interest in working at the crossroads of indigenous rights and environmental issues and has worked with the United Nations, working to ensure the voices of remote indigenous communities on the frontlines of climate change and biodiversity loss were heard.

Pelenatita Kara, Deepsea mining national Campaign Manager, Civil Society Forum of Tonga
"As a neighbor, we feel that it is also our duty to sensitize the government of NZA about the implication of DSM and the potential ramifications of any form of extractive activities that will harm our Moana, our Coastal resources; for it will ultimately harm our people and their livelihood. That is a guarantee - that needs no scientific validation...It is only a matter of time. Unfortunately, Politicians will not be here by then - our children and our grandchildren will be paying that price for us!! That we SHOULD NOT allow."

Duncan Currie, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
Practiced international law and environmental law for over 25 years, and over that time has advised organizations, corporations and governments on a wide range of environmental issues including climate change, the law of the sea, whaling, fisheries, Antarctica, nuclear, liability, biosafety, toxic and chemical, forestry, mining, and waste issues. Duncan has advised the DSCC on bottom trawling issues since its inception.

Joey Tau, Fiji-based Deputy Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalization (PANG)
PANG have been raising concerns on proposed deep seabed mining in the Pacific region for over a decade. Joey is also a driving force within the Pacific Blue Line Collective, made up of the Pacific Council of Churches, WWF Pacific, Pacific Islands Association of NGO's, Development Alternatives with Women in a New Era, Tuvalu Climate Action Network, and PANG calling for a ban on deep seabed mining in the Pacific region and working to raise awareness and understanding of the issue across many sectors of society.

Please register here to receive your ZOOM link: https://bit.ly/3sLVLwl

This is a free event, consider making a donation to support ECO operation costs. We appreciate your support however big or small.