The Governor of Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia says he'd be interested in exploring the potential for economic gains from exploration of the Challenger Deep.
This follows a resolution in Guam's senate seeking recognition of the rights of Guam, the Northern Marianas, the FSM and Palau to share in economic gains from their collective natural resources.
The senators who introduced the resolution say it was sparked by Canadian filmmaker James Cameron's recent high-profile exploration of the Challenger Deep.
The deepest known part of the world's oceans, the Challenger Deep is officially in the FSM.
Yap Governor, Sebastian Anefal, says it is understood to be nearest to Yap:
"If it's within the FSM's EEZ then of course it's FSM's waters so we stand to determine what could be done and what gains, if there are any gains, how that should be spread around."
Sebastian Anefal
