SBMA strengthens dialogue with Tourism Council on seabed minerals

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has welcomed continued engagement with the Cook Islands tourism sector following two constructive sessions with the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council on seabed minerals, economic value, environmental safeguards, and national decision-making.

The first session was held at the SBMA office on 2 June 2026, after the Tourism Council reached out to the Authority for a discussion on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector.

SBMA acknowledges the Tourism Council for initiating the conversation and for bringing forward questions from the tourism private sector on matters that are important to the Cook Islands economy, environment, and national interest.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi31 July 2026SBMA, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands Tourism Council, Tourism Council, Tourism Sector Engagement, Tourism and Seabed Minerals, Private Sector Engagement, Public Consultations, Public Information, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Te Ipukarea Society, TIS, Muri Beach Club, Exploration Phase, Exploration Not Harvesting, Commercial Minerals, Harvesting, Commercial Minerals Harvesting, Environmental Safeguards, National Environment Service, NES, Licence Holder Obligations, Legal and Regulatory Framework, Governance Safeguards, Transparency, Economic Value, Economic Assessments, Tourism Impacts, National Decision Making, Cook Islands Economy, Cook Islands Environment, National Interest, Marae Moana, Our Moana, Responsible Stewardship, Science Based Decision Making

Seabed Authority clears air on ‘box ticking’ consultation

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has dismissed claims that the lack of timely notices on critical matters, such as seabed mining, was a waste of taxpayers’ money by SBMA during their recent consultations in Aitutaki last month.

Seven Hundred Trillion Reasons: The Unseen Scale of Cook Islands' Seabed Resources

Exploring the Hidden Treasure: Cook Islands' Polymetallic Nodules

When you think of the Cook Islands, a few things might come to mind—relaxed holidays, vibrant tivaevae, and, less excitingly, the high price of fish. But ask a marine geologist, and they will tell you that the Cook Islands are famous for something much more significant: a massive deposit of polymetallic nodules.

SBMA Science ArticleDede Mingi24 August 2024Seabed Minerals, Ocean Resources, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Deep Sea Treasure, Marine Geology, Polymetallic Nodules, Deep Ocean Exploration, Sustainable Mining, Harvesting, Cobalt Harvesting, Vast Resources, Future of Mining, Seabed Science, Ocean Wealth, Scale of Nodules, Deep Sea Mysteries

Government and Civil Society want the same thing - Information.

“Government and civil society actually want the same thing – information. Although we need to make decisions based on science not speculation,” says Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown in response to calls for a moratorium on seabed minerals activity by international and local NGOs.

Rima Browne21 May 2020Seabed Minerals Authority, seabed minerals, Mark Brown, Alex Herman, Exploration, Harvesting

News & Press Releases