Deep-Sea Minerals Push: BOEM and the Marine Minerals Administration moved ahead with seabed mining plans in the Pacific, including a proposed lease sale this year off the Northern Mariana Islands and a separate step forward for the Mariana Trench area, despite tens of thousands of public comments and warnings about irreversible ecosystem risks. American Samoa Response: Local voices are urging a firm “No” to any BOEM leasing near American Samoa, arguing the territory needs enforceable protections, clear job and revenue guarantees, and real accountability for environmental harm. NOAA Exploration for Data: NOAA says it will run two deepwater missions this summer and fall around American Samoa aboard the Okeanos Explorer to map and characterize the seafloor, with real-time streaming and public data meant to support future decisions. Aviation Recovery: Samoa Airways confirmed it is dismantling damaged aircraft 5W-FAY at Taʻū after a technical assessment, with Unity Aviation Canada engineers supporting the work while a repair path is still being evaluated. Water Compliance Training: AS-EPA hosted USEPA Region 9 training on Clean Water Act permits and also conducted inspections of ASPA, StarKist Samoa, and the shipyard. Fisheries Monitoring & Security: Samoa is pushing stronger fish stock monitoring and EEZ security at WCPFC, including regional operations against illegal fishing and trafficking. Local Governance & Safety: Raised crosswalks in American Samoa were clarified as federally funded safety upgrades, not “speed bumps,” after public complaints.