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An octopus on the seafloor at Physalia Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean. Deep-sea mining would threaten the rich ecosystems at the bottom of the ocean. (NOAA Okeanos Explorer)
Article October 21, 2026

Deep-Sea Mining, Explained

The industry doesn't exist yet beyond a few small projects. Here's why it should never take off.
A view of Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. (Leamus / Getty Images)
From the Experts October 20, 2026

How Deep-Sea Mining Endangers American Samoa

The ocean is inseparably intertwined with American Samoa culture and identity. Now deep-sea mining threatens it all.
Earthjustice attorney David Henkin, left, and Rudy Bartley, a member of the nonprofit groups Faasao Amerika Samoa and Puipui Measina a Amerika Samoa, take part in the Stand with the Moana demonstration to support and protect the ocean on July 16, 2026 on the Utulei shore in American Samoa. The event was organized by Finafinau, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group. (Gabby Faʻaiʻuaso for Earthjustice)
Press Release October 19, 2026

Lawsuit Seeks to Block American Samoa Deep-sea Mining Lease Sale

Samoan council of chiefs and community groups seek to protect over 31 million acres of ocean from destructive mining activity
document October 19, 2026

Deep-Sea Mining Final Leasing Notice Complaint 10-19-2026

Plaintiffs ask this court to declare that the Marine Minerals Administration’s (MMA) Final Leasing Notice exceeds MMA’s lawful authority, is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to…
Polymetallic nodules, misshapen black globes encrusted with coveted metals like cobalt, nickel and manganese, taken from the ocean floor. (William West / AFP via Getty Images)
Press Release September 30, 2026

Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Greenlighting of International Deep-Sea Mining Exploration Permit

The groups seek transparency in NOAA decision to advance The Metals Company application
document September 30, 2026

NOAA Deep Sea Mining Complaint

Plaintiffs Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi and Center for Biological Diversity complain of the actions of Defendants National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NOAA Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs, challenging NOAA's…
In the News: The Guardian September 25, 2026

Trump’s executive order on recreational fishing is a ‘giveaway of fish and ocean ecosystem’, advocates warn

Andrea Treece, Attorney, Oceans Program: “We should be looking at … ways we can actually conserve and foster more abundant fish populations for everybody instead of just killing off the competing predators in the ocean, which is just going to destabilize the system in the end.”
In the News: Grist September 16, 2026

Modern-day colonialism is enabling Trump’s deep-sea mining ambitions in the Pacific

J.V. Langkilde, Attorney, Tribal Partnerships Program: “Shouldn’t there be a full understanding of impacts before someone gets a property interest in our ocean floor?”
In the News: Inside Climate News September 9, 2026

NOAA Fisheries Takes A ‘Sharp Turn Away From Science’

Andrea Treece, Attorney, Oceans Program: “If you asked AI to come up with a plan to hollow out marine ecosystems and impoverish coastal communities, it would look a lot like the one NOAA just put out. The agency is taking a sharp turn away from science.”
An octopus on the seafloor at Physalia Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean. Deep-sea mining would threaten the rich ecosystems at the bottom of the ocean. (NOAA Okeanos Explorer)
From the Experts September 9, 2026

Why We Don’t Need to Mine the Deep Sea

As tech changes, better solutions are emerging
A school of rays swimming in the Northern Mariana Islands. (Charlie Jung / Getty Images)
Press Release September 8, 2026

Lawsuit Challenges Mariana Islands Deep-Sea Mining Lease Sale

Groups seek protection for imperiled species from destructive deep-sea mining activities
In 1973, gray wolves became one of the first animals to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. Earthjustice has gone to court for decades on behalf of wolves throughout the country. (Kathleen Reeder Wildlife Photography / Getty Images)
feature September 3, 2026

Biodiversity Program Report: Summer 2026

Highlights of Earthjustice's work to protect imperiled wildlife and the habitats that support their lives — and ours.
There are only seven species of sea turtles in the world, and all sea turtles found in U.S. waters are protected by the Endangered Species Act. (sdbower / Getty Images)
Press Release: Victory September 1, 2026

U.S. Appeals Court Rules to Protect Imperiled Sea Turtles from Drowning in Fishing Nets

Court rejects Louisiana Shrimp Association attempt to exempt shrimp boats from using Turtle Excluder Devices
Lau'ipala (yellow tang fish) swim in a coral reef off the island of Lānaʻi, Hawaii. Reefs are essential to biodiversity, with 25% of all marine species found in, on, or near them. Healthy reefs also facilitate subsistence and commercial fishing, and they protect people from storm surges and floods, absorbing up to 97% of a shorebound wave’s energy. Around a billion people benefit from reefs. (M Swiet Productions / Getty Images)
Press Release: Victory August 28, 2026

Hawai‘i Land Board Rejects Move To Reopen Commercial Aquarium Fish Collection

Decision marks a turning point in the long-running effort to protect Hawai‘i’s native reef fish from commercial capture and sale
In the News: KHON August 28, 2026

Land Board considers new rules for Aquarium fish collection

Mahesh Cleveland, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office “About half of them die within the first year of captivity, and in the wild they can live up to 40 years. So it’s really about keeping Hawaiʻi’s fish on Hawaiʻi’s reef for Hawaiʻi’s people.”
In the News: KITV August 28, 2026

BLNR rejects proposal to resume commercial aquarium fish collection in West Hawaiʻi

Mahesh Cleveland, Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “This decision recognizes the will of Hawaiʻi’s people. Again and again, communities have turned out at public meetings to oppose this trade.”
document August 28, 2026

Appeals Ct. ruling affirming district court ruling on turtle excluder devices

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the National Marine Fisheries Service's 2019 rule requiring skimmer-trawl vessels 40 feet or longer to use turtle-excluder devices.
In the News: E&E News August 24, 2026

Trump’s offshore drilling revival survives early court challenge

George Torgun, Attorney, Oceans Program: “We continue to maintain that President Trump’s attempt to open withdrawn areas for oil leasing is unlawful, and we intend to pursue those claims if and when any offshore activities are on the horizon.”