Ocean Biodiscovery: a day with the experts

Marine environmental experts visiting the Cook Islands from the United Kingdom and Fiji gave presentations at an open day hosted at the National Environment Service.

Rima Browne19 January 2023

DEEPEND Workshop Points to Future Deep Sea Environmental Research

Marine environmental experts from the United Kingdom and Fiji were in the Cook Islands as part of the DEEPEND Project. The Seabed Minerals Authority on behalf of the Cook Islands are involved in the project and hosted the experts in Aitutaki for a 2 day workshop.

Rima Browne20 December 2022

Letter to the Editor: ‘Barking up the wrong tree’

Dear Editor, very lately and surprisingly our news media has been bombarded with a stronger and incorporate voice calling for a moratorium against any seabed mining.

‘We’re after the same thing’ – PM Brown reacts to NZ’s call for ban on seabed mining

As the New Zealand government moves towards a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown claims both governments are actually after the same thing. Matthew Littlewood and Caleb Fotheringham report.

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority ‘concerned’ with New Zealand’s call for deep sea mining ban

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) will not back New Zealand’s call for conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.

Dede Mingi28 October 2022

Cook Islands reiterates responsible and sustainable SBM development

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority) notes the recent statements made by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, regarding the call for a ‘conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction, until strong environmental rules can be agreed and backed up by robust science’.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says his government’s stance on deep sea mining might end up in a ‘different vaka’ to New Zealand.

The issue has proved contentious, with various environmental groups, such as Te Ipukarea Society, calling for a moratorium or outright ban on the practice.

Stakeholders want tourism and seabed mining included in talks with NZ Minister

Local stakeholders hope tourism, seabed mining and the lack of available flights will be at the forefront of any conversation during New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s visit to the Cook Islands this week.

SBMA prepares inspectors for exploration expeditions

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority’s (SBMA) held a sea survival training course this week to prepare their inspectors before sending them on exploration vessels as part of its monitoring and compliance programme.

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