Fiji, Sept. 7 -- Pacific voices are pressing Forum Leaders meeting in Honiara to take a firm stance against deep sea mining, warning that rushing into the industry would have irreversible consequences for the region's ocean and people.

Pacific consultant on deep sea mining, Lagi Toribau, said Solomon Islands' recent call at the UN Oceans Conference in Nice for a moratorium reflected growing regional consensus.

"The position Solomon Islands took and announced at the recent UN Oceans conference in Nice calling for a moratorium, and this is also in line with the standing position by the Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders supporting moratorium, can be the default position of the Pacific Forum Leaders," Toribau said.

He said the 2050 Strate...