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.

 
SBMA contributes to deep-sea biodiversity research through SIO collaboration
SBMA contributes to deep-sea biodiversity research through SIO collaboration

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has contributed to a joint deep-sea biodiversity research project with the Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO), supporting work to strengthen scientific knowledge of deep-sea habitats and biodiversity data. 

SBMA participated in the Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity Data in Deep-Sea Habitats of the Northwest Pacific project, known as SADiNP, a collaboration with the Second Institute of Oceanography. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Deep-Sea Biodiversity, SADiNP, Second Institute of Oceanography, SIO, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, China Joint Training and Research Centre, JTRC, Tanga Morris Jnr, Knowledge Management Division, Deep-Sea Science, Biodiversity Data, Deep-Sea Imagery, Environmental Monitoring, Marine Environment, Ocean Governance, Science Based Decision Making, Knowledge Exchange, Cook Islands Capability, Responsible Stewardship, Marae Moana, Our Moana
Cook Islands welcomes Okeanos Explorer as deep-ocean research builds national knowledge
Cook Islands welcomes Okeanos Explorer as deep-ocean research builds national knowledge

The Government of the Cook Islands formally welcomed NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to Rarotonga following the completion of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration, which brought new scientific information, imagery, maps, and observations from deep waters within the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, NOAA Ocean Exploration, Okeanos Explorer, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration, Cook Islands EEZ, Deep Ocean Research, Ocean Science, Seafloor Mapping, ROV Exploration, Deep Sea Science, Water Column Science, Argo Floats, Telepresence, Cook Islands National Waters, Marae Moana, Our Moana, Cook Islands Research, Ocean Knowledge, Scientific Exploration, Knowledge Management, Environmental Understanding, Cook Islands Law, Public Awareness, Cook Islands Capability
SBMA clarifies regulatory process on proposed overseas corporate transaction
SBMA clarifies regulatory process on proposed overseas corporate transaction

The Seabed Minerals Authority recognises the public interest in recent comments about the proposed AOMC–Odyssey transaction and what it may mean for seabed minerals exploration in the Cook Islands.

The questions raised highlight why the Cook Islands has established a regulatory framework to oversee seabed minerals activities and protect the interests of Cook Islanders.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Seabed Minerals Regulation, Cook Islands Law, Exploration Licences, Regulatory Process, Marae Moana, Cook Islands EEZ, Ocean Governance, Public Information, National Interest, Corporate Transaction, AOMC Odyssey Transaction, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Responsible Regulation, Public Scrutiny, Environmental Assessment, Public Consultations, Cook Islands Jurisdiction
SBMA strengthens dialogue with Tourism Council on seabed minerals
SBMA strengthens dialogue with Tourism Council on seabed minerals

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has welcomed continued engagement with the Cook Islands tourism sector following two constructive sessions with the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council on seabed minerals, economic value, environmental safeguards, and national decision-making.

The first session was held at the SBMA office on 2 June 2026, after the Tourism Council reached out to the Authority for a discussion on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector.

SBMA acknowledges the Tourism Council for initiating the conversation and for bringing forward questions from the tourism private sector on matters that are important to the Cook Islands economy, environment, and national interest.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands Tourism Council, Tourism Council, Tourism Sector Engagement, Tourism and Seabed Minerals, Private Sector Engagement, Public Consultations, Public Information, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Engagement, Te Ipukarea Society, TIS, Muri Beach Club, Exploration Phase, Exploration Not Harvesting, Commercial Minerals, Harvesting, Commercial Minerals Harvesting, Environmental Safeguards, National Environment Service, NES, Licence Holder Obligations, Legal and Regulatory Framework, Governance Safeguards, Transparency, Economic Value, Economic Assessments, Tourism Impacts, National Decision Making, Cook Islands Economy, Cook Islands Environment, National Interest, Marae Moana, Our Moana, Responsible Stewardship, Science Based Decision Making
Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston
Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston

The Seabed Minerals Authority’s Policy and Regulatory Oversight team represented the Cook Islands at the International Seabed Authority Council meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, from 13 to 24 July 2026. 

Policy and Regulatory Oversight Director Latishia Maui-Mataora and Policy and Legal Officer Lynn Mataora attended the second part of the 31st Session of the International Seabed Authority Council, where Member States continued discussions on the international rules and responsibilities for seabed minerals activities in the Area. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, ISA Council, 31st Session, Kingston Jamaica, Policy and Regulatory Oversight, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Lynn Mataora, Seabed Minerals Regulation, Draft Exploitation Regulations, The Area, UNCLOS, Sponsoring States, Responsibilities, Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement, Inspections, Regulatory Capability, Legal Capability, Policy Development, Ocean Governance, Deep-Sea Minerals, Science-Based Decision Making, Cook Islands Law, Exploration and Research Phase, Responsible Stewardship
SBMA Knowledge Management team prepares for 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
SBMA Knowledge Management team prepares for 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

The Seabed Minerals Authority’s Knowledge Management team is preparing to take part in the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, a 26-day scientific cruise taking place from 19 July to 13 August 2026 in deep waters off the Cook Islands. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, NOAA Ocean Exploration, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Deep-Sea Exploration, Research Cruise, ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), Remotely Operated Vehicle, ROV, ROV Research Cruise, Deep Discoverer, Seirios, Seafloor Mapping, Oceanographic Research, Water Column Science, Deep-Sea Biology, Marine Geology, Deep Ocean Science, Knowledge Management Team, Dr John Parianos, Rima Browne, Tanga Morris Jnr, Chloe Ann Wragg, Cook Islands Scientists, National Capacity Building, Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, Manihiki Plateau, Extended Continental Shelf (ECS), Abyssal Plains, Seamounts, Marae Moana, Pacific Ocean
SBMA strengthens regulatory oversight through inspector role at sea
SBMA strengthens regulatory oversight through inspector role at sea

For more than three weeks at sea, SBMA Inspector Tanga Morris Jr observed offshore exploration activities during Moana Minerals Limited's (MML) Benthic Expedition 7, helping strengthen the Seabed Minerals Authority's (SBMA) role as the independent regulator of seabed minerals activities in the Cook Islands.

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Media ReleaseRima BrowneSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals), MML, Benthic Expedition 7, Anuanua Moana, Tanga Morris Jnr, SBMA Inspector, Inspector Role, Regulatory Oversight, Independent Regulator, Offshore exploration
SBMA continues Rarotonga community kōrero across Titikaveka, Avatiu and Ngatangiia
SBMA continues Rarotonga community kōrero across Titikaveka, Avatiu and Ngatangiia

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has continued its Rarotonga community kōrero sessions across Titikaveka, Avatiu, and Ngatangiia, building on earlier sessions held in other parts of the island and creating further space for open discussion, shared learning, and direct engagement with communities on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector.

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Media ReleaseRima BrowneSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Rarotonga community Korero Sessions, Community Engagement, Public Update Meeting, Seabed Minerals Sector, Exploration and Research phase, Exploratory Only, No Minerals Harvesting, Titikaveka, Avatiu, Ngatangiia, Edward Herman, Community Dialogue, Public Awareness, Legal and Regulatory Framework, Deep Ocean Science