Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Depending on the perspective, seabed mining is seen as an economic boon or an ecological disaster.

In a press release issued this week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is betting on President Donald Trump’s executive order signed last week Thursday to be a boon — calling it, “The next gold rush”.

The Executive Order (EO) is establishing a framework for American companies to identify and retrieve offshore critical minerals and resources. The EO prioritizes U.S. leadership in seabed mapping and mineral exploration, ensuring reliable access to critical minerals like manganese, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements. Critical minerals are used in everything from defense systems and batteries to smartphones and medical devices. Access to these minerals is a key factor in the health and resilience of U.S. supply chains.

NOAA’S ROLE

Under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, NOAA reviews applications and issues exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits to U.S. entities for deep-sea mining in international waters.

In support of the Executive Order, NOAA is committed to an expeditious review of applications for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits. The agency will provide the necessary resources for license and permit reviews to ensure that those reviews go forward without undue delays.

“With this Executive Order, the President is paving the way for supply chain resilience and a thriving domestic manufacturing industry,” said Erik Noble, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. “The United States will lead the world in deep sea mineral extraction, and NOAA is the tip of the spear as we partner with federal agencies and private industry to support the discovery and collection of critical minerals on the sea floor.”

Through this Executive Order, NOAA and other federal agency partners will develop this sector and work to better understand the deep sea through advancements in mapping, characterization, environmental data collection and resource assessments. In addition, NOAA will carry out environmental compliance measures consistent with applicable law.

NOAA is working to update and streamline the application process by enhancing coordination across agencies, working with regional fishery management councils, and engaging private partners to ensure an efficient and transparent approach to granting licenses and permits. The licensing and permitting process will include an opportunity for public comment.

At this time, American Samoa has a ban on deep sea mining in its waters. It will remain to be seen if the current administration lifts the ban initiated under the Lemanu Administration.

BACKGROUND

Climate, weather and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources.

From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need, when they need it.

NOAA’s mission to better understand our natural world and help protect its precious resources extends beyond national borders to monitor global weather and climate, and work with partners The agency holds key leadership roles in shaping international ocean, fisheries, climate, space and weather policies. NOAA’s many assets — including research programs, vessels, satellites, science centers, laboratories and a vast pool of distinguished scientists and experts — are essential, internationally recognized resources. NOAA works closely with other nations to advance our ability to predict and respond to changes in climate and other environmental challenges that