The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) has raised concerns regarding significant legislative gaps in Fiji’s framework associated with deep sea mining (DSM), as reported in a study by Monash University. The report was summarized by FCOSS executive director, Vani Catanasiga, during the recent Pacific Blue Line (PBL) Regional meeting in Suva.
Catanasiga expressed alarm over the potential environmental, socio-economic, and cultural repercussions of unregulated DSM activities. She stressed the urgent need to protect Fiji’s marine ecosystems and its coastal and indigenous populations from the repercussions of such mining ventures. The report highlighted that despite the Fijian government’s announcement in 2020 supporting a decade-long moratorium on DSM, there isn’t a legally enforceable prohibition in place, and existing legislation does not explicitly prevent DSM exploitation.
The current laws, including the Mining Act of 1965 and the International Seabed Mineral Management Act of 2013, permit DSM exploration but do not adequately regulate practices to prevent harmful exploitation. This inadequacy poses risks to indigenous communities who have profound cultural and spiritual connections to the ocean.
Catanasiga noted that countries in the Pacific, such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, have still gone ahead with exploratory licenses for DSM, even after committing to the Udaune Declaration on Climate Change at the Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders Summit in August 2023. FCOSS is advocating for immediate legal reforms to enhance protections against potential DSM activities and to ensure compliance with international provisions like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The organization is aiming for a legally binding ban on DSM in Fijian waters, proposing amendments to fundamental laws such as the Environment Management Act, iTaukei Affairs Act, and Fisheries Act to ensure the protection of Fiji’s marine resources for future generations.
This proactive call to strengthen legislation and focus on community engagements serves as a hopeful step towards responsible and sustainable environmental stewardship in the region. As awareness grows about the fragility of marine ecosystems, the efforts by FCOSS could potentially lead to a strong foundation for equitable resource management that respects both local communities and the environment.
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