The ocean is a mysterious world, home to unique habitats and filled with countless species discovered and undiscovered. It also contains untouched, mineral-rich areas that corporations now want to mine.
Mining could cause irreversible damage to the ocean; killing wildlife, releasing pollution, and threatening the ocean’s ability to mitigate climate change. Despite these dangers, the Trump administration is planning to sell areas of our ocean for wide-scale commercial ocean mining as soon as this November.
The race to mine the ocean is on, but so is the fight to protect it. As the Trump administration’s push for ocean mining is accelerating, so are global calls for a pause on these activities. We can’t allow corporations to destroy irreplaceable ecosystems for short-term gains.
What is Ocean Mining?
Deep-sea mining refers to three distinct but related kinds of mining, each defined by the types of ore targeted: massive sulfides from hydrothermal vents, cobalt-rich crusts on seamounts, and polymetallic nodules found on the ocean floor.
The deep sea is our planet’s most fragile and least understood ecosystem – humans have seen 0.001% of it, according to scientists. The elusive colossal squid, cookie cutter shark, deep-sea anglerfish, blobfish, and oarfish are just some of the otherworldly animals that roam the depths of the ocean.
Exploiting the deep sea before we understand it could have catastrophic consequences for our oceans. There are also no proper safeguards in place for these untested and unproven mining methods – putting the wildlife and people who rely on nearby waters at risk.
In addition to deep-sea mining, the administration is also moving forward with selling leases in nearshore areas for heavy mineral sands mining. The mining method itself turns bottom-dwelling animals’ worlds completely upside down, causing mass destruction along its path by taking up the sand and everything with it, removing the targeted minerals, and releasing the rest of the sediment back into the water.
Which U.S. Areas are Currently at Risk of Ocean Mining?
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
The Mariana Trench is well-known for being the deepest point in the ocean, but few people are talking about how the U.S. government intends to allow deep-sea mining in nearby waters. Following the Trump administration’s executive order to fast-track approvals for these activities in April 2025, the U.S. government has begun the process to exploit the fragile ecosystem off the Northern Mariana Islands. This area is rich in biodiversity, home to marine life like humpback whales, deep-sea corals, whitetip reef sharks, and sea turtles.
American Samoa
In July 2026, the Trump administration moved forward with a plan to sell over 30 million acres off American Samoa for deep-sea mining. Despite strong opposition from the local government and more than 76,000 public comments, the administration is continuing with its plan to allow industrial mining in these waters. The area sits near the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, an important and protected area for endangered wildlife. This move could cause harm to whales, sea turtles, fish, and porpoises that rely on these pristine waters, while significantly impacting American Samoa’s communities and economy.
Virginia
Off the coast of Virginia, the Trump administration is looking to begin heavy mineral sand mining. The proposed area spans nearly 3,000 square miles – almost three times the size of Rhode Island – and would be the first project of its kind in federal waters along the East Coast. Beyond its massive scale, the area cuts directly through migration paths of multiple species. North Atlantic right whales, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, and shorebirds are just a few of the important species that will be put at risk if this is approved. A project at this scale requires large ships mining with little regard for the marine life migration paths they’ll cross. Virginia is the U.S. east coast’s largest seafood producer. Commercial fishing, tourism, and recreation businesses — and the millions of people who visit Virginia’s beaches and coastlines every year — rely on clean and healthy waters. But the proposed ocean mining puts all of that at risk for a chance at mining minerals that are found elsewhere.
Alaska
Alaskan waters are one of the least-explored areas in the United States. Where researchers have gone, they’ve found unique ecosystems like this fragile deep-sea octopus nursery. But despite knowing very little about these areas, the Trump administration is proposing to allow ocean mining off Alaska’s coast. These areas could be exposed to toxic and radioactive materials released by mining, which could disrupt and destroy these vital habitats. Alaska is known for its unique wildlife, where endangered animals like walruses, narwhals, and bearded seals breed, feed, and raise their young. Alaska’s many diverse marine ecosystems are also home to king and snow crab, Pacific halibut, Chinook salmon, among many other economically important species. With bountiful ocean resources, Alaska’s commercial fisheries land more seafood than any other state in the nation. As home to some of the healthiest fisheries in the world, Alaska’s wildlife and economy both rely heavily on healthy, abundant oceans. This move could put all of that at risk.
What Can You Do?
We must stop the Trump administration’s push to mine the ocean before it can start. Help us in our effort by taking action today. To stay updated on ocean mining and the ways you can make a difference, become a Wavemaker.
