French Polynesia announced its intention to oppose American Deep Sea Minerals’ proposal to conduct exploration activities in international waters located within the maritime boundaries of the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and French Polynesia. Territory president Moetai Brotherson stated that while the company approached government representatives, no substantive consultation occurred after an initial exchange of correspondence.
The Bay Area-based startup has submitted a permit application to U.S. regulators for exploration in the Eastern High Seas Pocket 3, seeking to extract minerals used in battery and military technology production. The proposal aligns with the Trump administration’s effort to establish American leadership in critical mineral extraction. The application remains under review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is open for public comment through August 3.
French Polynesia’s opposition reflects broader international tensions over seabed mining governance. Negotiators from numerous countries are currently meeting in Jamaica to discuss regulatory frameworks for deep-sea mining at the International Seabed Authority. The Trump administration’s decision last year to invite companies to apply directly through U.S. channels rather than await international agreement has drawn criticism from nations and officials who contend it circumvents established international law.
The territory has taken legislative steps to restrict seabed mining activity, enacting a ban in 2022 and establishing the Tainui Atea marine protected area encompassing nearly all exclusive waters. The preserve supports significant marine biodiversity and holds cultural significance for Indigenous residents, who comprise 80 percent of the population. Brotherson emphasized that French Polynesia seeks recognition as a stakeholder in decisions affecting adjacent marine areas and demands a comprehensive environmental review process. He characterized the mining application not as neutral research but as part of a pathway toward future commercial extraction activities.
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