A decision by traditional leaders in Wallis and Futuna to reject work related to seabed mining has been welcomed by a regional body of non-government groups.
Seabed mining Photo: Nautilus Minerals
Earlier this month the kingdoms on the French Pacific island of Futuna ruled out allowing any futher exploration of the seabed in their waters, saying their stance is final.
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The Pacific Islands Association of NGOs ,or PIANGO, said it stands with community and church groups around the region who call for a ban on seabed mining.
PIANGO director Emele Duituturaga said there were environmental concerns and also a lack of clarity around the financial benefits that resource owners will directly receive.
She said in the current geo-political climate and age of 'cheque book diplomacy' it is important for the voices of the people to be heard.
"Now is the time for traditional leaders and our indigenous peoples, who are the main owners of our resources, to stand up and be counted."
Emele Duituturagasaid the lessons and experiences of mining in the Pacific should be heeded when contemplating exploration of the seabed.
She said there should be a ban on seabed mining around the region, and that the same environmental and benefit issues surrounding terrestrial mining, exist around seabed exploration.
"We've not really seen any income from terrestrial mining. We've also seen the environmental degradation so we doubt very much that seabed mining will be any different."
French scientists have visited the territory and said the question of underwater mining will remain.
Five years ago, the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council urged the government to secure resources in the seabed off France's overseas territories.