A Guam senator has introduced a resolution seeking recognition of the rights of Guam, the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau to share in economic gains resulting from exploration of the Challenger Deep.
The Challenger Deep is the deepest known part of the world's oceans and part of the Marianas Trench, about 300 kilometres southwest of Guam.
Senator Aline Yamashita's resolution looks to secure sustained financial benefits as a direct result of activities such as the recent explorations by National Geographic and James Cameron.
While the Challenger Deep is located within FSM waters, Senator Yamashita told PNC News that the rest of Micronesia deserves its share.
"We thought it would be really smart if right now we got together with our region, everybody involved and said let's come up with a framework to develop an economic engine of this part of the world when it happens. How do we engage in the economic benefits? How do we hook up together and how do we move forward?"
Senator Aline Yamashita
