A number of Staff from the Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES) were amidst more than 200 participants that attended the Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) held in Rarotonga from the 15 – 19 September 2024.
Amongst other participants, the NES also had an opportunity to present at the Conference on the “Seabed Minerals Environmental Scoping Exercise” process covered by the Environment (Seabed Minerals Activities) Regulations 2023. NES’s Legal Counsel, Roselyn Strickland presented on behalf of the Agency supported by participating colleagues, Tekura Moekaa, Troy Penno, Eva Moana Patai and Director Halatoa Fua.
The topic presented by NES was on overview about the “Environment Scoping Exercise” under the Regulation, which is an essential aspect for Tier three (Tier 3) activities such as Trial Mining or Mining of the Seabed as referred to under the Regulation. The NES also highlighted in its presentation about the importance of Stakeholder Engagement Information Sharing and the Scoping of Environment Impacts and up to date reliable data as underlying part of the process.
The Regulation is a crucial law for the Cook Islands, as it provides the legal framework to ensuring the sustainable management of seabed mineral resources within national waters. The Regulation entails environment assessment processes and accountable systems to encourage a safe and responsible practice within the seabed mineral industry, to ensure the protection of a vital ecosystem of our seabed whole promoting the long- term commitment.
Furthermore, the NES play a crucial role in monitoring and enforcing compliance under the regulation, with a mandate to impose penalties and legal consequences for non- compliance. The regulation serves as a vital tool to strike a balance between economic and the conservation of the marine ecosystem.
