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.

 
Posts tagged Environmental Stewardship
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
PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia
PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia

Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead a 11-member delegation to Australia this week for an “open dialogue” on seabed exploration activities.

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CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands Seabed Minerals, Prime Minister Mark Brown, SBMA, Diaspora Consultation, Seabed Exploration, Science-led Approach, Environmental Stewardship, Sovereign Governance, No Deep Sea Mining, Community Engagement, Australia Tour 2025, Sustainable Ocean Economy, Cook Islands Diaspora, Transparent Governance, Exploratory Only, Global Best Practice, Intergenerational Wellbeing, Moana Guardianship, Cook Islands Government, Seabed Minerals Advisory Committee
Stewardship & Science: Cook Islands’ Focus on ISA’s 30th Council Session
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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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals Authority, Seabed Minerals, Rarotonga, Jamaica, Seabed Mining, Science First Approach, Precautionary Approach, Environmental Stewardship, Deep Sea Mining Regulations, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA 30th Council Session, Underwater Cultural Heritage, Te Kuru Pou Toru, Pacific Ocean Governance, Sustainable Development, Marine Environment Protection, Global Conversations Local Values, Cultural Responsibility, Environmental Responsibility, Science Based Decisions, Inclusive Consultation, International Cooperation, Transparency And Accountability, Sovereignty And Science, Cook Islands Priorities, Ethical Science, Future Of The Oceans, Seabed Minerals Exploration, SBMA At ISA, Equitable Ocean Governance
A Deep-Sea Milestone: Cook Islands and China Partner on Sustainable Seabed Resource Development
A Deep-Sea Milestone: Cook Islands and China Partner on Sustainable Seabed Resource Development

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Blue Partnership in the Field of Seabed Minerals Affairs with the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, reinforcing a shared commitment to marine cooperation, sustainable resource management, and advancing deep-sea research.

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Media Release, Press ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Cook Islands SBMA, Blue Partnership, Seabed Minerals Governance, Deep Sea Research, Sustainable Oceans, Marine Cooperation, Environmental Stewardship, Capacity Building, Technology Transfer, Scientific Collaboration, Blue Economy, Sustainable Development
Cook Islands Prime Minister to Engage New Zealand Diaspora on Cultural Pride and Sustainable Development
Cook Islands Prime Minister to Engage New Zealand Diaspora on Cultural Pride and Sustainable Development

The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, is set to engage with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand from November 18 to 22 in a week-long Diaspora Consultation. These consultations, organised by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Cook Islands New Zealand High Commission, with the aim to update the diaspora on important national developments, including progress in the seabed minerals sector and the Cook Islands’ upcoming 60th anniversary of self-governance in 2025.

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Joint ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, New Zealand, Consultations, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals, Sustainable Development, Diaspora Engagement, Cook Islands 60th Anniversary, Community Consultations, Environmental Stewardship, Cultural Pride, Pacific Sustainability, Cook Islands Heritage, Empowering Our People, Cook Islands Global Community, Seabed Minerals Authority, Strengthening Our Future
Seabed Minerals Exploration Updates
Seabed Minerals Exploration Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our seabed minerals (SBM) sector for the benefit of our Cook Islands people. In line with the precautionary approach, any future decision on whether or not we will allow minerals harvesting to occur must be science based.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Ocean Conservation, Marine Protection, Environmental Stewardship, Clean Energy, Marae Moana, Responsible Mining, Exploration, Deep Sea Research, Future Generations, Economic Diversification, Science Based, Community Engagement, Knowledge Advancement, SBM
Letter: SBMA ‘losing control’
Letter: SBMA ‘losing control’

I would like to speak as an environmentally concerned Cook Islander, hearing concerns raised by Dr Teina Rongo on Temu Okotai’s radio show yesterday morning (Monday).

I felt that our local Seabed Mining Authority is losing control of the situation.

They emphasised the unknown and confirmed life in the deep ocean, but I got the impression that they await more and more advantage findings.

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Letter to the editorDede MingiProtect Our Oceans, Seabed Mining Concerns, Cook Islands Voices, Environmental Stewardship, Ocean Conservation, Local Scientist First, Sustainable Oceans, Deep Sea Protection, Scientific Intergrity