A legal environmental group has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government to stop plans for deep-sea mining near American Samoa. Earthjustice, representing Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, targets the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The lawsuit demands compliance with the Endangered Species Act and other laws.

The lawsuit emphasizes that the U.S. has not previously allowed deep-sea mining in its waters. The plans involve leasing 33 million acres of seabed rich in nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These minerals are vital for batteries and electronics. The group argues that the government should ensure mining does not harm habitats or threaten species with extinction.

The U.S. decision that leases would not impact critical habitat or endangered species is described as “arbitrary and capricious.”

The Samoan people depend on a healthy ocean ecosystem for food, shoreline protection, and cultural practices. Animals from American Samoa often migrate to Hawaiian waters, including sacred sea turtles known as “i‘a sa.” Other sacred species, such as whales and sharks, are protected by local bans.

The lawsuit highlights the ecological significance of the area, hosting rare marine species, coral reefs, and endangered species. Five sea turtle populations, four whale types, and several threatened species rely on these waters.

The proposed mining area lies 57 miles from the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Despite calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining due to environmental risks, the Trump administration seeks to accelerate permits.

Commercial seabed mining has not yet occurred globally. While the International Seabed Authority has issued exploration licenses, it has not allowed commercial mining. The U.S. oversees exploration through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as it has not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

A NOAA spokesperson declined to comment on litigation. The U.S. Department of Commerce also did not respond. The U.S. recently published a leasing proposal for federal waters around the Northern Mariana Islands, totaling 69 million acres.

Matt Giacona from the Marine Minerals Administration stated that critical minerals are essential for the U.S. economy and national security.

This initiative has faced widespread criticism from scientists and environmentalists. Nick Katkevich from the Center for Biological Diversity labeled the administration’s actions as reckless.