Cook Islands-led science strengthens deep-sea habitat understanding

Cook Islands scientists have completed a major review of more than 11,000 deep-sea observations, working with research partners in Hawai‘i to improve how seabed habitats are classified and analysed for future environmental management.

The work was advanced during meetings at the Deep-sea Animal Research Centre at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in September 2026, where Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) Knowledge Management staff Chloe-Ane Wragg and Dr John Parianos presented a revised Cook Islands approach to classifying deep-sea substrates and geological features.

Cook Islands declared ‘world leader’ in seabed sector

Seabed mining is no longer a distant ambition for the Cook Islands, as at last week’s Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security and Shared Prosperity summit in Hawaii, it was pushed into the geopolitical spotlight with Cook Islands leaders declaring global leadership, clearing diplomatic roadblocks and indicating that movement, not moratorium, is the direction ahead.

The two-day summit was held behind closed doors with Pacific media, including Cook Islands News, present at the event.

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