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 Ocean Stewardship
From Global Leadership to Island Home: Meet SBM Commissioner Beverly Stacey Ataera
From Global Leadership to Island Home: Meet SBM Commissioner Beverly Stacey Ataera

At the heart of the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is our Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Mrs Beverly Stacey Ataera - a leader whose story blends international expertise with deep cultural belonging. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals, Le4adership, National Identity, Cook Islands, Mana Tiaki, Ocean Stewardship, Beverly Ataera, Transparency, Science Led, Community First, Cook Islands 60, Island Home, Ocean Nation
Cook Islands Welcomes E/V Nautilus for 21-Day Deep-Sea Science Research Cruise
Cook Islands Welcomes E/V Nautilus for 21-Day Deep-Sea Science Research Cruise

Later this week, the Cook Islands will welcome the arrival of the exploration vessel E/V Nautilus, a world-class platform for deep-sea discovery. Over the course of a 21-day science mission beginning 1 October 2025, the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) and its partners will work alongside the Nautilus team to explore and better understand the hidden depths of Marae Moana.

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Joint ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, Rarotonga, SBMA, Seabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), E/V Nautilus, National Environment Service (NES), NES, Deep Sea Science, Marae Moana, Cook Islands Science, Ocean Exploration, Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA Ocean Exploration, International Partnerships, Science Collaboration, Pacific Research, Marine Biodiversity, Seabed Research, Ocean Stewardship, Sustainable Oceans, Science First, Precautionary Principle, Pacific Oceans, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, Marae Moana Leadership
Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority 
Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority 

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), which governs seabed mineral activities under the Seabed Minerals Act 2019 (SBMA Act), emphasises that no commercial extraction can occur without extensive approvals.

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International, CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Ocean Stewardship, Blue Economy, Sustainable Future, Pacific Islands, Environmental Approvals, Deep Sea Mining, Global Partnerships
Cook Islands Government Deepens Diaspora Ties in Australia
Cook Islands Government Deepens Diaspora Ties in Australia

The Cook Islands Government has wrapped up a national diaspora consultation tour in Sydney, Queensland, and Melbourne, connecting with Cook Islanders living in Australia through open and honest dialogue.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands Government, Diaspora Consultation, Pacific Leadership, National Development, Community Engagement, SBMA, Cook Islands Pride, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals, Ocean Stewardship, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Climate Action, Blue Economy, Responsible Mining, Cook Islands Diaspora, Australia Tour 2025, Melbourne Consultation, Queensland Community, Sydney Session, Voices From Abroad, Pacific Diaspora, Your Voice Matters, Transparency, Future Generations, Open Dialogue, Community Voices, Shared Responsibility, Unity In Diversity, Kia Manuia, Our People Our Future
SBMA Heads to China for Global Deep Sea Science Training Workshop
SBMA Heads to China for Global Deep Sea Science Training Workshop

Three staff from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) were among 22 international participants who recently took part in the third knowledge transfer training workshop organised and fully funded by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Government of China. 

Held in Qingdao from 23–27 April 2025 under the ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre (JTRC), the training workshop focused on the science and tools needed to protect deep-sea environments through Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs). 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, Marine Governance, Deep Sea Exploration, Environmental Protection, ISA Training Workshop, ISA China JTRC, Global Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building, Marine Spatial Planning, Sustainable Oceans, Ocean Stewardship, Deep Sea Science, REMPS, Cook Islands Pride, Pacific Leadership, Women In Science
Consultation Process for Strategic Environment Assessment Commences
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).

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Cook Islands, SBMA, National Environment Services, BMT Consultancy, Strategic Environmental Assessment, SEA, Ecosystem Based Management Framework (EBMF), EBMF, Marine Spatial Assessment, Effects Assessment, Cumulative Impact Assessments, Regional Environmental Management Program, REMP, Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, Consultation Process, Ocean Stewardship, Responsible Resource Management, Environmental Impact, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Stakeholder Consultation, Marine Conservation, Sustainable Future, Collaborative Approach, Public Workshop, Environmental Awareness, Policy Development, Marine Resource Management
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
Release: Cook Islands reiterates commitments to ocean conservation and management at Our Ocean Conference 2024
Release: Cook Islands reiterates commitments to ocean conservation and management at Our Ocean Conference 2024

“As Cook Islanders and Pacific peoples, we have an imbedded culture of conservation and environmental management over our land and sea. This has enabled us to sustainably use our marine resources while also ensuring its protection. We have been doing this for centuries. We are conservationists.” This was the message Prime Minister Mark Brown conveyed during his recent attendance at the Our Ocean conference held in Athens, Greece.

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Joint ReleaseDede MingiOur Conservation, Our Oceans Conference, Cook Islands Leadership, Sustainable Oceans, Marae Moana, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Pacific Initiatives, Ocean Protection, Cook Islands Advocacy, Blue Pacific Continent, Ocean Leaderships, Our Oceans 2024, Regional Partnerships, Sustainable Fisheries, Plastic Pollution Solution, Ocean Governance, Marine Protection, Cook Islands Commitment, Pacific Leadership, Deep Ocean Science, Climate Resilience, Pacific Diplomacy, Ocean Stewardship, Global Cooperation, Blue Prosperity, Pacific Resilience, Seabed Minerals, Environmental Stewardship, Ocean Advocacy, Pacific Forum Leadership, Cook Islands