Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
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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 ISA
SBMA contributes to deep-sea biodiversity research through SIO collaboration
SBMA contributes to deep-sea biodiversity research through SIO collaboration

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has contributed to a joint deep-sea biodiversity research project with the Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO), supporting work to strengthen scientific knowledge of deep-sea habitats and biodiversity data. 

SBMA participated in the Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity Data in Deep-Sea Habitats of the Northwest Pacific project, known as SADiNP, a collaboration with the Second Institute of Oceanography. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Deep-Sea Biodiversity, SADiNP, Second Institute of Oceanography, SIO, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, China Joint Training and Research Centre, JTRC, Tanga Morris Jnr, Knowledge Management Division, Deep-Sea Science, Biodiversity Data, Deep-Sea Imagery, Environmental Monitoring, Marine Environment, Ocean Governance, Science Based Decision Making, Knowledge Exchange, Cook Islands Capability, Responsible Stewardship, Marae Moana, Our Moana
Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston
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. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, ISA Council, 31st Session, Kingston Jamaica, Policy and Regulatory Oversight, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Lynn Mataora, Seabed Minerals Regulation, Draft Exploitation Regulations, The Area, UNCLOS, Sponsoring States, Responsibilities, Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement, Inspections, Regulatory Capability, Legal Capability, Policy Development, Ocean Governance, Deep-Sea Minerals, Science-Based Decision Making, Cook Islands Law, Exploration and Research Phase, Responsible Stewardship
SBMA takes part in regional workshop on deep seabed sustainable blue growth
SBMA takes part in regional workshop on deep seabed sustainable blue growth

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) was represented at the Pacific Small Island Developing States Regional Workshop on Deep Seabed Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative, held in Suva, Fiji, from 19 to 21 May 2026. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Pacific Small Island Developing States, Regional Workshop, Deep Seabed Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative, Beverly Ataera, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Rima Browne, Chloe Wragg, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Pacific Regional Cooperation, Pacific Ocean Governance, Sponsoring States
Joint Media Release MFAI & SBMA: Cook Islands participation at International Seabed Authority's 29th Council and Assembly Sessions
Joint Media Release MFAI & SBMA: Cook Islands participation at International Seabed Authority's 29th Council and Assembly Sessions

A Cook Islands delegation, led by Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Honourable Sonny Williams, attended the International Seabed Authority's (ISA) 29th Council and Assembly Sessions, held in Kingston, Jamaica, from 15 July to 2 August. The Commissioner Alex Herman and Senior Knowledge Management Officer Rima Browne from the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) attended the Council meetings and were later joined by the Assistant Minister and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Foreign Service Officer, Tatryanna Utanga, for the Assembly.

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Joint ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, Seabed Minerals, ISA 29th Council, Pacific Islands, Moana Nui O Kiva, Ocean Stewardship, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Women In Science, Deep Sea Mining, Global Oceans, ISA, Pacific Unity, Responsible Leadership, Marine Conservation, Global Collaboration, SBMA, Cook Islands Delegation, Island Nations, Ocean Governance, Climate Action, Blue Economy
SBMA Opinion: Two-year milestone for seabed minerals exploration licences
SBMA Opinion: Two-year milestone for seabed minerals exploration licences

Last month marked two years since the country’s first seabed minerals exploration licences were issued on 23 February 2022. A major milestone and achievement for the Cook Islands after many years of preparation.

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Dede MingiCook Islands, Moana Minerals, SBMA, seabed, seabed minerals, CIC, CIIC Seabed Resources, Cobalt Seabed Resources, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands Government, MV Seasurveyor, MV Anuanua Moana, Cook Islanders, Aitutaki, DEEPEND, Pacific, University of the South Pacific, Rarotonga, Pa Enua, Government, Joint Ore Reserve Committee, Exclusive Economic Zone, JORC, New Zealand, Australia, Rima Browne, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, Pacific Community, Norway, Aitutaki Rarotonga Transect Expedition, ARTEX, Anuanua Moana, CSD, exploration, years, seabedminerals, minerals, Cook, new, Islands, SBM, research, issued, companies, communities, past, opportunity, part
Rima Browne receives international award for Deep-Sea Research Excellence
Rima Browne receives international award for Deep-Sea Research Excellence

Senior Knowledge Management Officer Rima Browne is this year’s recipient of the ISA Secretary General’s award for excellence in deep-sea research, after her new geomorphological map of the Cook Islands was nominated for consideration by researchers from the Pacific Community and Norway.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiRima Browne, Senior Knowledge Management Officer, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, ISA, ISA SG H.E. Michael Lodge, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA Secretary General's Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research, Deep sea research, Polymetallic Nodules, International Award
Cook Islands hosts international workshop on seabed environmental management and monitoring
Cook Islands hosts international workshop on seabed environmental management and monitoring

The Cook Islands recently hosted an international workshop on deep seabed (SBM) environmental management and monitoring from 26 to 29 July 2021, with over 120 virtual and local participants.

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Dede MingiThe Abyssal Initiative Project, Seabed Environmental Management, Monitoring Seabed Area, Cook islands, Rarotonga, ISA, UNDESA, NORAD, EMMW JULY 2021, SBMA, CIIC General Manager Eusenio Fatialofa, SBMA GIS Officer Rima Browne, Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Gerald McCormack, SBMA Commissioner, Alex Herman, Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, ISA SG H.E. Michael Lodge
Seabed mining workshop to focus on environmental management
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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CI NEWSDede MingiSBMA, ISA Workshop, Environmental Management, ISA, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
Prime Minister opens seabed side-event at the 2021 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Prime Minister opens seabed side-event at the 2021 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown made his opening remarks at a side-event of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (Forum) held from 6 to 15 July.

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Press ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Rarotonga, HLPF, 2021, ISA, ISA 2030 Agenda, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), Sustainable Management, Deep Seabed, Resources, contribution