Stop Trump From Selling Off the Pacific Seafloor

The Trump administration is preparing to auction off mining rights across roughly 67 million acres of Pacific seafloor as soon as December — and Congress still has time to stop it.

Federal officials are moving toward deep-sea mining leases near the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, putting fragile marine ecosystems, fisheries, and local economies at risk before scientists fully understand the consequences.

Pacific leaders are already raising alarms. American Samoa depends heavily on tuna fishing, while leaders across U.S. Pacific territories are demanding a meaningful say in decisions that could reshape their waters and livelihoods for generations.

Tell Congress: Stop Trump’s rush to open Pacific waters to deep-sea mining.

Deep-sea mining could destroy slow-growing habitats, disrupt whales, sea turtles and other marine life, and threaten fisheries that Pacific communities depend on. Once mining companies gain a foothold, the damage could be difficult — or impossible — to undo.

And this is moving fast. The proposed Northern Mariana Islands lease sale is scheduled for December, while plans near American Samoa are already facing legal challenges over environmental review.

Congress controls federal spending and can use legislation and oversight to block this leasing push, strengthen environmental safeguards, and stop federal agencies from handing over Pacific waters before communities and scientists have been heard.

This is not just about minerals on the ocean floor. It is about who gets to decide the future of these waters — Washington officials and mining companies, or the people whose lives, cultures, and livelihoods depend on them.

Add your name and tell Congress to block the December lease sale before mining companies gain a foothold in Pacific waters.

The petition to Congress reads:

“Block the Trump administration’s proposed deep-sea mining lease sales in Pacific waters.”