Story perspectives

US Leases 31-Million-Acre Samoa Shelf, Sparks Biodiversity Outcry

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. government announced a November 19 2026 lease sale for mining on American Samoa’s continental shelf.
The 31 million-acre area, larger than Pennsylvania, lies outside Authority jurisdiction.
Fa’asao Amerika Samoa says the lease threatens cultural heritage, livelihoods and biodiversity.
Scientists warn the mining could cause 25 times more biodiversity loss than land mining, costing $500 billion.
The sale will be livestreamed, allow no public bidding, target near Rose Atoll, and allocate no cleanup revenue.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 UNCLOS entered into force, establishing 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones and a regime for seabed mining. The United States, which signed but never ratified the treaty and claimed its EEZ by President Reagan’s 1983 proclamation, left the American Samoa continental shelf outside federal oversight. The 2026 lease sale revives that gap, prompting cultural and environmental concerns.

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Story summary

The U.S. government announced a November 19 2026 lease sale for mining on American Samoa’s continental shelf.
The 31 million-acre area, larger than Pennsylvania, lies outside Authority jurisdiction.
Fa’asao Amerika Samoa says the lease threatens cultural heritage, livelihoods and biodiversity.
Scientists warn the mining could cause 25 times more biodiversity loss than land mining, costing $500 billion.
The sale will be livestreamed, allow no public bidding, target near Rose Atoll, and allocate no cleanup revenue.

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