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.

 
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
Cook Islands children’s book on deep sea nodules is about facts, says author
Cook Islands children’s book on deep sea nodules is about facts, says author

A children's book exploring the idea of deep sea nodules was paid for by a charity established and funded by a Cook Islands seabed mining company. By RNZ Pacific journalist, Caleb Fotheringham.

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InternationalDede MingiCook Islands Seabed Minerals, Children's Book, Merio and the Hidden Treasure, Deep sea nodules children's education, Polymetallic nodules, Cook Islands, Seabed Mining awareness Cook Islands, Joyana Finch, Vania Kauraka, Te Rito o Taku Peu Tupuna, CIC Ocean Research, Moana Minerals Limited, Hans Smit, Te Ipukarea Society, June Hosking, Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), Edward Herman, Ocean Education, Community Voices, Blue Economy, Our Ocean Our Future, Critical Thinking
Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority 
Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority 

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), which governs seabed mineral activities under the Seabed Minerals Act 2019 (SBMA Act), emphasises that no commercial extraction can occur without extensive approvals.

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International, CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Ocean Stewardship, Blue Economy, Sustainable Future, Pacific Islands, Environmental Approvals, Deep Sea Mining, Global Partnerships