Beverly Stacey-Ataera has been appointed as the new commissioner of the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) in the Cook Islands, where she emphasizes the importance of public trust and engagement in the island nation’s seabed minerals exploration journey. In her conversation with Cook Islands News, Stacey-Ataera expressed her appreciation for scrutiny from environmental groups and the broader community, underlining that public accountability is crucial to the work of the Authority.
Stacey-Ataera stated, “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 openness comes amid ongoing debates about the seabed minerals industry as environmental advocates caution against potential mining activities, while the government maintains that such resources could bolster the nation’s long-term resilience.
Importantly, Stacey-Ataera clarified the current status of operations, asserting that no decisions have been made to commence mining. “We reaffirm, we’re not mining. We’re not mining at all,” she affirmed. The focus remains on research and public engagement. The SBMA is working closely with licensed companies to conduct scientific studies aimed at understanding the unique features of the seabed environment.
The exploration phase, which is currently in its fourth year, was initiated when the Cook Islands government granted licenses to three seabed mining companies: CIC, CIIC Seabed Resources, and Moana Minerals. This five-year phase aims to assess the feasibility of harvesting mineral-rich polymetallic nodules while ensuring that due diligence on environmental impacts is prioritized.
Stacey-Ataera expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Authority, stressing the importance of keeping Cook Islanders informed and actively 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 elaborated.
As part of her commitment to transparency, she encouraged everyone interested to engage in ongoing consultations: “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 approach taken by Stacey-Ataera and the SBMA reflects growing recognition of the need for sustainable practices in resource management while navigating the complexities and potential benefits of seabed mining. This represents a hopeful step towards ensuring that economic opportunities align with environmental stewardship, fostering a balanced dialogue around the future of the Cook Islands’ valuable marine resources.