WASHINGTON, 28 MAY 2026 (MONGABAY) — The U.S agency responsible for overseeing deep-sea mining in federal waters is preparing to auction off seabed blocks within months — a step that could kick-start commercial-scale deep-sea mining and make the U.S one of the first countries to allow it. Deep-sea mining has not yet begun anywhere in […]
Tag: Pacific islands environment
Posted inPacific News
An ocean of peace cannot be mined into existence, church leader says
SUVA, 20 MAY 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—A Pacific hurch leader has warned that deep-sea mining would violate the region’s cultural and spiritual ties to the ocean, arguing that it should be subject to a moratorium or precautionary pause. General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), Reverend James Bhagwan, said the issue was not just […]
Posted inPacific News
Marshall Islands stresses community role in ocean protection
PORT MORESBY, 13 MAY 2026 (POST COURIER) — The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has told the Melanesian Oceans Summit that conservation must be rooted in communities and guided by traditional knowledge. Speaking on behalf of President Dr Hilda Heine, the Special Envoy said lessons from the Micronesian challenge show that protected areas are […]
Posted inPacific News
Bonds, blockings and bans: a massive new-year shakeup to Pacific-U.S travel
WELLINGTON, 19 JANUARY 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — From heavy visa bonds to suspended applications to straight-up travel bans, the United States has implemented or announced sweeping restrictions on Pacific travel in just the first two weeks of 2026. Confirmed Thursday, 15 January, Fiji is among a list of 75 countries for which the U.S will […]