Former Miss Samoa, Miss Pacific Islands and UNICEF Pacific Ambassador Moemoana Schwenke has called on Pacific Islanders to oppose deep-sea mining, warning that it threatens the ocean that has sustained Pacific communities for generations.
In a Facebook post Thursday, Schwenke described the Pacific Ocean (Moana) as central to the identity, culture and heritage of Pacific peoples.
“From every shoreline, she is the same ocean. As Pacific peoples, we are connected by our Moana. Our genealogies are woven through her tides and islands.”
She said the ocean has nurtured Pacific communities for generations and should not be viewed simply as a resource.
“The ocean is not just where we live, she is who we are. She has carried and cared for our ancestors since time immemorial.”
Schwenke said Moana “”is not a frontier to conquer or a resource to exhaust,” adding that ‘she is life itself.”
She warned that deep-sea mining poses an irreversible threat to ecosystems that scientists are only beginning to understand.
“Today her deepest places are under threat from deep sea mining, an irreversible harm for the sake of short-term gain. We risk destroying ancient ecosystems we are only beginning to understand, for something that can never replace the living ocean we stand to lose.”
Schwenke urged Pacific communities to honour the wisdom of their ancestors by protecting the ocean for future generations.
“We must honour the wisdom of our ancestors by protecting the ocean that has always protected and sustained us. We must ensure future generations inherit a Moana still abundant with life, beauty and wonder.”
She also encouraged people to learn more about deep-sea mining, share their connection to the ocean and advocate for its protection.
“Our Moana has given us everything. Now we must protect what has always protected us. Stop deep sea mining. Learn why it matters. Share your ocean story. Because people protect what they love,” she said.
