Beverly Stacey-Ataera has been appointed as the new commissioner of the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) in the Cook Islands, and she is committed to fostering public trust and engagement during the nation’s seabed minerals exploration efforts. In an interview with Cook Islands News, she highlighted the importance of scrutiny from environmental groups and the community, stating that public accountability is critical to the authority’s work.
Stacey-Ataera expressed her appreciation for the role of environmental advocates, saying, “I welcome their feedback. They have an incredibly important role, and we enjoy working with them. They need to hold us accountable and make sure that everything’s being done properly, which it is, but it’s good to have that additional oversight to foster public trust.” This commitment to transparency comes amid ongoing discussions about the seabed minerals industry, with environmental activists cautioning against potential mining, while the government insists that such resources could enhance the nation’s long-term resilience.
Importantly, she clarified that no mining operations have begun, stating, “We reaffirm, we’re not mining. We’re not mining at all.” Instead, the focus remains on scientific research and public engagement. The SBMA is collaborating with licensed companies to conduct studies aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the seabed’s unique environment.
Currently in its fourth year, the exploration phase was initiated when the Cook Islands government issued licenses to three seabed mining companies: CIC, CIIC Seabed Resources, and Moana Minerals. This five-year phase is geared toward assessing the feasibility of harvesting mineral-rich polymetallic nodules while prioritizing environmental due diligence.
Stacey-Ataera expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the SBMA and emphasized the need to keep the public informed and involved in discussions about seabed exploration. “We need to do the scientific research. We need to understand the environment, and then we need to share that with our people, so they can make informed decisions about what they want to do next,” she stated.
Demonstrating her commitment to transparency, she encouraged increased participation in consultations, inviting the community to engage with the SBMA: “We welcome everybody to come and have a chat with us. We’re moving towards more consultations and sharing more information, so stay tuned. We’ve got a lot of exciting things to share.”
The proactive stance of Stacey-Ataera and the SBMA signifies a growing acknowledgment of the need for sustainable practices in resource management. This approach aspires to balance economic opportunities with environmental responsibility, fostering a constructive dialogue about the future of the Cook Islands’ valuable marine resources, ultimately leading to a more informed and engaged community.