I thank Ms Alex (Herman) for her reply to my previous letter regarding DSM (Deep Sea Mining) or SBM (Sea Bed Mining) which is what some are hoping to do in our EEZ.

As for the 2023 consultation, I know I was there because I was providing transport for the National Geographic team. The options mentioned in my previous letter is what I recall. I also recall our PM joking around that he hoped people will vote him in again, so he can be there when we actually begin harvesting (aka mining).

In regards to dark oxygen production, the group of research scientists were employed by a mining company to look into the unknown subject of deep sea mining. It took them about 10 years to come up with their report. And it took them this long because they had to double check their results. No longer able to see if the results would change, they had no choice but to reveal this important finding.

It wasn’t the result any mining company would want to see; that those nodules down in the deep ocean are major components in producing oxygen.

This is our version of the Amazon forest producing oxygen on land, but in deep ocean waters.

And is there any reason why these nodules were not scattered around our reefs and in our lagoons, but rather, placed by God in the deep dark ocean depths?

I’m sure our people will be interested in what scripture readings will be provided to support our present day government’s dream to vacuum up these nodules producing dark oxygen in the unknown, best left alone, deep ocean.

Andrew Hosking

Mauke

Rally against deep sea mining

On Saturday, we had a wonderful productive day at the market printing garments for the rally on Wednesday. Meitaki ranuinui to helpers and people willing to give printing a go. It’s always fun to see children participating also and interesting to hear what they are being told by SBM (Seabed Minerals Authority) people doing school visits.

I was so encouraged to have people on our shores for the minerals conference say they’re happy to see we’re making a stand for ocean protection because they also believe we must slow down and do much more research. They agree that we need many years more research, so I hope that those who have invested in SBM will be prepared to sit on their investment for perhaps another 20 years so that we are certain of the repercussions of any action taken, if at all.

June Hosking