The Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) presented a report to Tongan lawmakers yesterday titled, “Critical Questions and Challenges of Deep-Sea Mining for the Kingdom of Tonga.”
Deep-sea mining (DSM) is when companies take minerals from the bottom of the ocean.
The report, written by US lawyer Lori Osmundsen, explains the risks of deep-sea mining for Tonga. It also reminds lawmakers of 19 Tongan laws that apply to deep-sea mining. This means Tonga needs to follow its own laws if it decides to allow deep-sea mining.
Public opinion on DSM was also presented. A 2024 community survey revealed a strong connection between Tongans and their ocean:
- Almost all Tongans (95%) think the ocean is very important.
- Most Tongans (over 80%) eat a lot of seafood.
But many Tongans (nearly 70%) don’t know about deep-sea mining happening in Tongan waters. Even more (over 80%) don’t know that Tonga is involved in allowing deep-sea mining in the Pacific Ocean.
Most importantly, the survey showed that very few Tongans (only 12%) want deep-sea mining to happen in Tongan waters or in a place called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ).
This report and survey results come at an important time for Tonga. Lawmakers need to decide whether to allow deep-sea mining. The report suggests they should be careful because it could hurt the ocean and most Tongans don’t want it.
