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.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi21 November 2025E/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

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.

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.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi30 September 2025SBMA, 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

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.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi18 September 2025Seabed 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 Seabed Minerals Authority Welcomes New Commissioner Mrs Beverly Stacey-Ataera

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Beverly Stacey-Ataera as the new Seabed Minerals Commissioner, marking an important chapter in the nation’s ongoing stewardship of its vast ocean resources.

CI NEWS, Media ReleaseKaitini Herman5 September 2025Cook islands, Seabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), SBMA Commissioner

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.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi4 September 2025Cook 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 Government Deepens Diaspora Ties in Australia

The Cook Islands Government has wrapped up a national diaspora consultation tour in Sydney, Queensland, and Melbourne, connecting with Cook Islanders living in Australia through open and honest dialogue.

SBMA Heads to China for Global Deep Sea Science Training Workshop

Three staff from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) were among 22 international participants who recently took part in the third knowledge transfer training workshop organised and fully funded by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Government of China.

Held in Qingdao from 23–27 April 2025 under the ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre (JTRC), the training workshop focused on the science and tools needed to protect deep-sea environments through Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs).

Stewardship & Science: Cook Islands’ Focus on ISA’s 30th Council Session

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) continues to champion a science-first, precautionary approach to seabed minerals, as its senior representatives join international delegates at the 30th Council Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), held in Kingston, Jamaica, from 17 to 28 March 2025.

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