Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
Runanga Takere Moana
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News & Press Releases

 
 

You can read all the latest news and updates on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector here.

 
E/V Nautilus Expedition Deepens Cook Islands Understanding of our Marae Moana
E/V Nautilus Expedition Deepens Cook Islands Understanding of our Marae Moana

Collaborative expedition combines local knowledge and global expertise to study deep habitats in Cook Islands waters. The E/V Nautilus has completed a 21-day research cruise across priority deep-sea areas of the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana and wrapped up its portside engagements in Rarotonga before departing our shores.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiE/V Nautilus, NA 176 Deep Sea Habitats of the Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), Marae Moana, Marine Scientific Research, Deep Sea Habitat, Cook Islands Ocean Stewardship, Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA Ocean Exploration, Telepresence, ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), Manihiki Plateau, Aitutaki Deep Sea, Environmental Baselines, Science led decision making
New camera technology shows the Cook Islands seabed in unparalleled detail
New camera technology shows the Cook Islands seabed in unparalleled detail

The first dive of the NA176 marine scientific cruise has delivered exceptional results.

One of the cruise participants, Deep Sea Power and Light, provided cutting edge new camera technology [1] and a small team of experts to commission and maintain the equipment. This is the first time this technology has been deployed to such depths anywhere in the world.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, SBMA, Marae Moana, NA 176, E/V Nautilus Live, Deep Sea, Ocean Science, Conservation, Seabed Research, Deep Sea Corals, Marine Biodiversity, Science In Action, NOAA, OET, Deep Sea Power and Light, Rarotonga, Manihiki Plateau, Pacific Oceanscape, Sustainable Oceans, Blue Economy, Environmental Stewardship, Marine Tech, Underwater Imaging, Exploration, Data For Decision Making, Public Science, New Release, Watch Now, Photo Gallery, Behind The Scenes
Manihiki Plateau claim adds 350,000 km2 of seabed rights
Manihiki Plateau claim adds 350,000 km2 of seabed rights

Cook Islands has secured additional seabed control after the United Nations approved its claim over the Manihiki Plateau, granting the country exclusive rights over an additional 350,000 square kilometres of seabed resources.

This follows the formal receipt of recommendations from the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) regarding the Cook Islands’ revised submission on the continental shelf limits beyond 200 nautical miles for the Manihiki Plateau.

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CI NEWSDede MingiManihiki Plateau, CLCS recommendations, Continental Shelf, Extended Continental Shelf (ECS), seabed rights, Cook Islands Maritime Jurisdiction, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), UNCLOS, High Seas, Sovereign Rights, Ocean Diplomacy, Maritime Jurisdiction, Deep Sea Minerals, Polymetallic Nodules, Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME), Environmental Stewardship, MFAI, SBMA
From Global Leadership to Island Home: Meet SBM Commissioner Beverly Stacey Ataera
From Global Leadership to Island Home: Meet SBM Commissioner Beverly Stacey Ataera

At the heart of the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is our Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Mrs Beverly Stacey Ataera - a leader whose story blends international expertise with deep cultural belonging. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals, Le4adership, National Identity, Cook Islands, Mana Tiaki, Ocean Stewardship, Beverly Ataera, Transparency, Science Led, Community First, Cook Islands 60, Island Home, Ocean Nation
Cook Islands Welcomes E/V Nautilus for 21-Day Deep-Sea Science Research Cruise
Cook Islands Welcomes E/V Nautilus for 21-Day Deep-Sea Science Research Cruise

Later this week, the Cook Islands will welcome the arrival of the exploration vessel E/V Nautilus, a world-class platform for deep-sea discovery. Over the course of a 21-day science mission beginning 1 October 2025, the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) and its partners will work alongside the Nautilus team to explore and better understand the hidden depths of Marae Moana.

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Joint ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, Rarotonga, SBMA, Seabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), E/V Nautilus, National Environment Service (NES), NES, Deep Sea Science, Marae Moana, Cook Islands Science, Ocean Exploration, Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA Ocean Exploration, International Partnerships, Science Collaboration, Pacific Research, Marine Biodiversity, Seabed Research, Ocean Stewardship, Sustainable Oceans, Science First, Precautionary Principle, Pacific Oceans, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, Marae Moana Leadership
We’ve taken a big step in our knowledge of our seabed minerals environment
We’ve taken a big step in our knowledge of our seabed minerals environment

The Cook Islands government has released its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Regional Environmental Management Plan (REMP) for seabed minerals. 

This milestone is an important step in managing our marine environment while considering possible future development opportunities for our country. The SEA covers our entire Cook Islands Marae Moana Exclusive Economic Zone. It considers national and international laws and leading best practices.

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Dede MingiCook Islands, SBMA, Marae Moana, Environmental Management, Marine Conservation, EBMF, SEA, REMP Consultations
SBMA coordinates a seminar meeting of world experts on seabed minerals extraction plumes
SBMA coordinates a seminar meeting of world experts on seabed minerals extraction plumes

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) yesterday hosted a hybrid seminar at the University of the South Pacific, Rarotonga campus, bringing together eight international experts from the United States, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, and China to discuss the latest advances in understanding seabed sediment plumes—clouds of particles that may be generated during seabed minerals extraction. Around 35 participants joined in person and online.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, Sediment Plumes, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Ocean Science, Marae Moana, Deep-Sea Minerals, International Collaboration, Pacific Islands Research, Sustainable Oceans
Cook Islands’ Strategic Environmental Assessment Endorsed and Supported
Cook Islands’ Strategic Environmental Assessment Endorsed and Supported

The Seabed Minerals Authority and National Environment Service hosted a Regional Environmental Management Plan workshop that highlighted strong support for the nation’s science-based, precautionary approach to managing seabed minerals within Marae Moana.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands EBMF workshop, Ecosystem-Based Management Framework Cook Islands, Seabed minerals management Cook Islands, SBMA EBMF consultation, Seabed minerals decision-making framework, Tanga Morris Jnr, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), Cook Islands communities, Stakeholders Cook Islands seabed minerals, Exploration licence phase, Science-led approach Cook Islands, Public access seabed minerals data, Online consultation SBMA, Stakeholder engagement Cook Islands, Success and failure indicators seabed mining