Dear Editor, Ocean Ancestors is a home-grown collective deeply rooted in our communities. We’re NGOs, businesses and individuals united by a shared passion for protecting the ocean ... together raising the concerns of our people as the demand for resources, including deep sea minerals, overwhelms.

Our primary motivation is ensuring our ocean wellbeing is prioritised and safeguarded for future generations.

Beyond the environmental and economic implications, it is crucial to recognise the cultural, spiritual and social dimensions that will be impacted.

It is not lost on us that three years into the exploration phase Cook Islanders are still none the wiser and the movement of information, research and science is stagnant.

What is prevalent is that the deep sea mining (DSM) industry have embedded themselves into the many layers of our society.

Educational outreach to our tamariki at schools speaks of “treasure”.

The celebration of our independence and leading cultural festival, daycare, athletes and arts are being backed with DSM funding. Yet, we are still in the dark as to what they are doing, which is apparently expanding our knowledge on the deep sea.

We sit patiently as infrastructure is built, trusts for DSM set up, and learning facilities funded to educate our children on “treasure” … BUT we are undecided, aren’t we?

Yet it seems what we haven’t decided on is already well in motion.

Can we say NO now? They’ve invested heavily through culture, sports, education, etc. So how can we say No? It becomes evident that while we patiently trust leadership, we’ve become vulnerable.

Ocean Ancestors seeks to educate and give voice to our people. We know we are not alone in our concerns.

If you would like to become a partner, please contact us via Facebook, Instagram or www.oceanancestors.com or email oceanancestors@gmail.com.

And please rally with the crowd this Wednesday September 18th 4pm to 6pm at Avarua Harbour. Come and stand for the protection of our ocean.

Together our voice is stronger.

Ocean Ancestors