Consultation Process for Strategic Environment Assessment Commences
The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) and the National Environmental Service (NES), in collaboration with international maritime environmental consultancy BMT, have successfully completed the technical phase of the seabed minerals Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA).
The SEA is part of the broader Ecosystem Based Management Framework (EBMF), which aims to guide responsible seabed mineral resource management in the Cook Islands.
The SEA serves as a government-led, regional-scale impact assessment component within the EBMF, designed to inform policy and decision-making processes. Unlike environmental impact assessments required for individual project permits, the SEA does not authorize any specific project. Instead, it provides a comprehensive framework to assess potential environmental impacts from seabed mineral activities, helping to shape future policies.
The SEA comprises four interrelated sub-programmes:
Marine Spatial Assessment (MSA): This foundational study maps the spatial location and size of various habitat types, providing essential context for subsequent assessments.
Effects Assessment (EA): This assessment evaluates the potential impacts of a single seabed mineral extraction project, including the severity and extent of potential environmental footprints.
Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA): This assessment examines the combined impacts of multiple seabed mineral extraction projects, as well as interactions with other existing marine activities such as fishing, transport, and climate change.
Regional Environmental Management Program (REMP): Building upon the findings from the SEA, the REMP consultation aims to gather insights, values, and concerns from stakeholders regarding environmental management. This process will contribute to the development of robust and inclusive policies.
The consultation process for the REMP will be conducted in two phases:
Phase 1: Engagement through consultations and surveys, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback on key environmental concerns and management strategies.
Phase 2: A public workshop is scheduled for July 2025, where findings from the SEA will be presented and further discussed.
The work completed to date on the SEA is accessible on the SBMA website at www.sbma.gov.ck/ebmf-sea. The SBMA encourages all interested parties to review the findings and participate in the consultation process.
The Cook Islands is committed to ensuring responsible ocean stewardship. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, we are laying the foundation for informed and sustainable decision-making that safeguards our environment for future generations.
For further information or to participate in the consultation process, please contact: [email protected]