Tense discussions on the issue of deep-sea mining continued to be the focus of delegates and observers as they gathered for the 30th annual session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Downtown, Kingston on March 17. At the onset of the talks, a group moved to invoke the spirit of their ancestors in the hope of bringing calm to the sitting.
Solomon “Uncle Sol” Kaho‘ohalahala from the Maui Nui Makai Network was allowed to offer a chant that invited the ancestors to help everyone in the negotiations. The Network is an Indigenous Hawaiian conservation organisation consisting of three islands. The network was also allowed, last year, to pay homage to the marine kingdom through a chant, which, among other things, spoke of the sacredness of the ocean.
Last June, the network also partnered with civil society groups and academics from the Pacific to deliver a declaration and commitment to protecting the sacredness of the ocean. This was shared with the General Assembly. Uncle Sol stated at the time that the aim of the declaration was to raise global awareness of the ancestral ties the indigenous groups have to the ocean.
“This voyage is sacred, and together we will sail forward, united in our commitment to the ocean and each other. We pledge to honour the sacredness of the ocean and to safeguard its future, ensuring our communities and cultures continue to thrive in harmony with the sea,” he said.
The public homage being paid to the marine spirit during an event in Jamaica, a traditional Christian country, was not welcomed by everyone. Over 60 countries and 20 non-governmental organisations were in attendance.
“One group, the Maui Nui Makai Network, just stood up and invited the spirit of the ancestors and the deep sea to come upon the nation and the waters and that the spirits will be awakened in every water environment,” said one attendee, who noted that the group also declared that the waters will not be distributed but that the earth will yield.
“May Jesus Christ of Nazareth intercede for this nation and may the blood of Jesus Christ judge every operation of the demonic,” the attendee stated.
There have been concerns about efforts to connect with the marine spirits in Jamaica. Recently, Freedom Come Rain carried an exposé on efforts by Jamaicans to gain wealth by washing off in the river with lime and other items as they enter into covenants with mermaids who form part of the marine kingdom. Social media users have been speaking openly about their encounters with the marine kingdom even as they caution that sacrifices are necessary to maintain the covenant. Some also spoke about the destruction of families and even those individuals who refuse to honour their part of the covenant by doing as requested by water spirits.
The special session for ISA was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre. Attention was drawn to the need for a realistic timeframe for developing a regulatory framework for the commercial exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources and also the need to strengthen marine scientific research. There were concerns about outstanding issues relating to deep-sea mining, such as the potential socioeconomic impacts on land-based mining countries, compliance and enforcement, independent oversight and monitoring, the adoption of anti-corruption and transparency measures, and the financial model for benefit-sharing.
Solomon “Uncle Sol” Kaho‘ohalahala, Maui Nui Makai Network, offers a Hawaiian oli (chant) inviting the ancestors.
Photo source: Earth Negotiations Bulletin
