Cook Islands led Deep Sea Research Expedition gets underway

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is pleased to announce a short deep sea research expedition between Rarotonga and Aitutaki. ARTEX 2023 (Aitutaki Rarotonga Transect Expedition) is a 2 day expedition run by SBMA. It is a pilot for locally led and managed marine science research, setting new ground in terms of low-cost collaborative and independent research.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi9 November 2023SBMA, First Expedition, Deep Sea Research, Polymetallic Nodules, Tanga Morris, Dr John Parianos, Dr Adrian Glover, Dr Gerald McCormack, Laiana Parker, Dr Dan Jones

SBMA Release: Cook Islands participates in international seabed meetings

The Cook Islands recently participated in the 28th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Jamaica, which included meetings of the Council and Assembly. The ISA is the body responsible for seabed minerals (SBM) activities in international waters, while the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is responsible for managing SBM activities in Cook Islands waters.

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.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi25 July 2023Rima 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

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.

CI NEWSDede Mingi20 December 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Rarotonga, Cook Islands News, Letter to the Editor, Polymetallic Nodules, Deep Sea Activities, Deep sea research, Exploration

MV Seasurveyor at Avatiu Harbour

The first of the Seabed Minerals research vessels berthed at Avatiu Harbour this week. The MV Seasurveyor which is chartered by the CIC Seabed Minerals exploration company arrived on Thursday.

CI NEWSDede Mingi25 June 2022CIC Limited (CIC), CIC Ocean Research Vessel, MV Sea Surveyor, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules

LETTERS: Key questions on seabed mining

Dear Editor, reading an article in the paper dated 31.05.22, the Prime Minister touched on the subject of deep sea mining as part of our nation’s plan for diversification.

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 June 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Deep Sea Activities, Raro, Cook Islands, Polymetallic Nodules

Cooks to continue support of UN seabed mining process

PRIME Minister Mark Brown said: “This will help provide Government with the vital data and information it needs about our deep sea marine environment and the potential impacts of mining to make an informed decision about whether to proceed any further.

CI NEWSDede Mingi3 July 2021SBMA, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Polymetallic Nodules, Cobalt, Seabed Mining

Feedback on seabed mineral regulations extended

The opportunity to submit feedback on the draft seabed mineral mining regulations has been extended for another month.

CI NEWSDede Mingi13 January 2021Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Rarotonga, Draft Seabed Mineral Mining Regulations, Deep sea research, Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules, CISBMA, stakeholders, regulations, guidelines, processes, SBM Activities

Manganese or polymetallic nodule mining

OPINION: Precautionary principle and best practise should be rigorously applied when dealing with deep sea mining, and this is what local discussion should focus on.

CI NEWSDede Mingi20 October 2020Gerald McCormack, Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Seabed Minerals Authority, seabed minerals, Seabed Exploration, Manganese, Polymetallic Nodules

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