Landmark Deepsea Environment Moorings Successfully Deployed in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands has reached a significant milestone with the first-ever deployment of three deep-sea environmental monitoring mooring arrays north of Aitutaki (figure 1). Conducted under approved exploration licences, this initiative was a joint effort between Moana Minerals Limited (MML) and Cobalt Seabed Resources Limited (CSR).

Media ReleaseDede Mingi4 March 2025Cook Islands, Deepsea Research, Ocean Science, Responsible Exploration, Seabed Minerals, Deep Sea Monitoring, Marine Conservation, Sustainable Oceans, Environmental Research, Climate Action, Scientific Exploration, Moana Science, Pacific Innovation, Ocean Data, Marine Ecosystem, Blue Economy, Future Oceans

Advancing Innovation: SBMA Expands Global Collaboration for Marine Research

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is participating in the State Visit to China from 10-14 February, alongside the Cook Islands Government Delegation. This visit focused on capacity building, research, and scientific collaborations.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi13 February 2025Cook Islands, SBMA, Blue Economy, Scientific Research, Marine Conservation, Seabed Mining, Environmental Sustainability, Ocean Exploration, International Collaboration, Transparency And Accountability, Marine Science, Global Partnerships, Governance, Deep Sea Research, Public Engagement, Resource Management

NES launches seabed minerals factsheet

The National Environment Service (NES) says it plays a crucial role in assessing and reviewing environmental matters associated with seabed mineral activities.

This includes the administration of applications for environmental consents and permits. In collaboration with the Seabed Mining Authority (SBMA), the NES ensures regulatory oversight and compliance with environmental management and reporting requirements set forth by license conditions and environmental consents or permits.

Diaspora concerns addressed in NZ seabed mining talks, says PM

Cook Islands Government’s recent consultation tour in New Zealand was a significant success, effectively addressing numerous concerns held by the diaspora regarding seabed mining, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.

PM clarifies use of NGO logos in seabed mining consultation

Prime Minister Mark Brown has responded to concerns raised by two environmental groups, Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) and Korero o te Orau, regarding the government’s recent seabed mining consultation in New Zealand.

Deep-sea ‘promotion not consultation’

Opposition leader Tina Browne has claimed that the meaning of the word “consultation” is lost on the Government, following a government-led seabed minerals meeting that was held in New Zealand last week.

CI NEWSDede Mingi25 November 2024Deep Sea Mining Debate, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Opposition Leader Tina Browne, Environmental Risks, Economic Impact, Marine Conservation, Sustainable Alternatives, Public Consultation Criticism, Seabed Mining Roadshow

Deep ocean groundings

Journalist Rachel Reeves shares insights and revelations from this week’s Deep Sea Symposium hosted by the Cook Islands Centre For Research (Te Puna Vai Marama).

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 November 2024Deep Sea Syposium, Cook islands, Deep Sea Mining, Environmental Impact, Marine Science, Sustainable Development, Indigenous Knowledge, Polymetallic Nodules, Cultural Heritage, Climate Change, Economic Analysis, Marine Conservation, Scientific Research, Ocean Governance, Community Engagement, Sustainable Practices

Deep Sea symposium probes nodule mining

Around a hundred local and overseas speakers, ocean lovers, local authorities and government ministers turned up to yesterday’s Deep Sea symposium which provides Cook Islands with more knowledge of deep sea mining.

Dede Mingi1 November 2024Deep Sea Mining, Cook Islands, Environmental Impact, Marine Conservation, Polymetallic Nodules, Green Energy Transition, Sustainable Development, Seabed Exploration, Deep Sea Syposium, University of the South Pacific, Te Puna Vai Marama, Te Ipukarea Society, Ocean Research, Seabed m, Seabed Minerals, Climate Change Solutions, Tourism Economy, Future of Mining

Robot doesn’t destroy seabed habitat

A foreign company has proposed to bring in a robot to harvest the seabed, write Tailia Mika.

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