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 SBMA
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
We’ve taken a big step in our knowledge of our seabed minerals environment
We’ve taken a big step in our knowledge of our seabed minerals environment

The Cook Islands government has released its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Regional Environmental Management Plan (REMP) for seabed minerals. 

This milestone is an important step in managing our marine environment while considering possible future development opportunities for our country. The SEA covers our entire Cook Islands Marae Moana Exclusive Economic Zone. It considers national and international laws and leading best practices.

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Dede MingiCook Islands, SBMA, Marae Moana, Environmental Management, Marine Conservation, EBMF, SEA, REMP Consultations
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
Global Lessons, Local Impact: SBMA’s Te-Ara Henderson Returns from South Australia Secondment
Global Lessons, Local Impact: SBMA’s Te-Ara Henderson Returns from South Australia Secondment

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) proudly welcomes home its Senior Policy and Legal Officer, Te-Ara Henderson, following the successful completion of an 11-week regulatory secondment with the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining (DEM), an exchange facilitated through the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network (AELERT). 

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Press ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Te-Ara Henderson, South Australia, AELERT, Global Learning, Local Impact, AELERT Network, Cook Islands Leadership, Seabed Minerals, Regulatory Excellence, Pacific Innovation, Knowledge Exchange, Ocean Governance
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
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
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