Tanga Morris shares Cook Islands' environmental framework at Seabed Minerals 2026 conference in Bergen

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) was represented at the Seabed Minerals 2026 conference in Bergen, Norway, in late March, with Tanga Morris presenting online on recent Cook Islands work relating to environmental management. The conference was held from 24 to 26 March 2026 and brought together researchers, regulators, industry representatives, and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss developments in the seabed minerals sector. 

Presenting under the theme “Strengthening sustainable ocean management in the Cook Islands", Morris shared SBMA’s recently completed work on the Ecosystem-Based Management Framework (EBMF) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). These tools help guide how the Cook Islands manage seabed minerals activities in a way that is transparent, science-led, and focused on the wider marine environment.  

The presentation highlighted work led by SBMA in collaboration with BMT (independent environment assessment consultants) and the Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES). SBMA’s public information explains that the EBMF provides the overall framework for environmental programmes and stakeholder engagement, while the SEA is a high-level assessment of the Cook Islands' deep seabed that informs government policy. SBMA also notes that environmental baseline data is a key input into both the SEA and any later project-level environmental impact assessment work.  

Morris said the opportunity to speak in Bergen allowed the Cook Islands to share practical work already underway to build its environmental framework before any future decisions move beyond exploration and research. 

“There is a need for greater understanding. The Cook Islands is taking a careful and science-led approach to seabed minerals so that any future decisions are informed by evidence and transparency.” 

The Bergen conference programme listed both Beverly Ataera and Tanga Morris among featured speakers. The event was promoted as a major international meeting place for the seabed minerals community, with a programme spanning legal, environmental, technical, and commercial issues across the sector.  

For the Cook Islands, the presentation provided an opportunity to contribute to an international platform and to show that national work is not focused on resource interest alone but also on the environmental and policy tools needed to support informed government decision-making. 

“It is important that the Cook Islands be part of these discussions, especially when we are developing our own frameworks and systems. Sharing our progress helps others understand the approach we are taking, and it also helps ensure our work continues to be informed by science, good practice, and the realities of managing our ocean responsibly,” she said. SBMA Commissioner Beverly Ataera shared.