Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston

The Seabed Minerals Authority’s Policy and Regulatory Oversight team represented the Cook Islands at the International Seabed Authority Council meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, from 13 to 24 July 2026.

Policy and Regulatory Oversight Director Latishia Maui-Mataora and Policy and Legal Officer Lynn Mataora attended the second part of the 31st Session of the International Seabed Authority Council, where Member States continued discussions on the international rules and responsibilities for seabed minerals activities in the Area.

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.

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.

Dede Mingi24 September 2025Cook Islands, SBMA, Marae Moana, Environmental Management, Marine Conservation, EBMF, SEA, REMP Consultations

Consultation Process for Strategic Environment Assessment Commences

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) and the National Environmental Service (NES), in collaboration with international maritime environmental consultancy BMT, have successfully completed the technical phase of the seabed minerals Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA).

All creatures great and small—life in the abyss

Life is everywhere. It is found in rocks deep beneath the surface of the earth, in a lake buried under the ice in Antarctica, and even in ponds of liquid tar-asphalt. So, although the physical environment-in the 5,000 m deep ocean floor is challenging, numerous species of organisms call it home.

Seabed mining workshop to focus on environmental management

LOCAL government officials, traditional leaders, and non-governmental organisations have been invited to a four-day virtual seabed mining workshop next week that aims to focus on environmental management and monitoring aspects of operating in the deep sea.

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